Abstract: Provided is an excellent robot device capable of preferably detecting difference between dirt and a scratch on a lens of a camera and difference between dirt and a scratch on a hand. A robot device detects a site in which there is the dirt or the scratch using an image of the hand taken by a camera as a reference image. Further, this determines whether the detected dirt or scratch is due to the lens of the camera or the hand by moving the hand. The robot device performs cleaning work assuming that the dirt is detected, and then this detects the difference between the dirt and the scratch depending on whether the dirt is removed.

Abstract: Provided is an excellent robot device capable of preferably detecting difference between dirt and a scratch on a lens of a camera and difference between dirt and a scratch on a hand. A robot device detects a site in which there is the dirt or the scratch using an image of the hand taken by a camera as a reference image. Further, this determines whether the detected dirt or scratch is due to the lens of the camera or the hand by moving the hand. The robot device performs cleaning work assuming that the dirt is detected, and then this detects the difference between the dirt and the scratch depending on whether the dirt is removed.

Abstract: A piece of equipment for on-demand food preparation, for instance on an assembly line, that can use an end-of-arm tool to retrieve and deposit food items on a horizontal surface, such as the surface of a conveyor. The end-of-arm tool may include a peel, in which the peel can be translated from a retracted position to an extended position to transfer food items. The piece of equipment may translate the peel quickly into the extended position to facilitate the retrieval of food items from the horizontal surface. The piece of equipment may be rotated to position the robotic appendage and the peel in a desired direction. The peel may include a push bar that may be movable between a withdrawn position and a push position to selectively push items off of the peel.

Abstract: A robot includes a robot control apparatus that communicates with a device, wherein a transmission terminal of a clock synchronization serial communication system of the device and a reception terminal of the robot control apparatus are connected by a signal line, and the robot control apparatus receives an asynchronous signal from the device.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot, a robot controller, a video acquisition device configured to acquire a real video of a work space, and a head-mounted type video display device provided with a visual line tracking section configured to acquire visual line information. A robot controller includes an information storage section configured to store information used for controlling the robot while associating the information with a type of an object, a gaze target identification section configured to identify, in the video, a gaze target viewed by a wearer based on the visual line information, and a display processing section configured to cause the video display device to display the information associated with the object corresponding to the identified gaze target, side by side with the gaze target in the form of one image through which the wearer can visually grasp, select, or set contents of the information.

Abstract: A force sensor that quantitatively detects an external force. The force sensor comprises a base unit, a displacement unit displacing by an external force, a first displacement sensor pair including two sets of sensors detecting a relative displacement between the base unit and the displacement unit in a first direction, and a second displacement sensor pair including two sets of sensors detecting a relative displacement between the base unit and the displacement unit in a second direction. Among four quadrants divided by two straight lines along each of the first direction and the second direction wherein, the straight lines passing through a midpoint of the two sets of sensors composing the first displacement sensor pair, the two sets of sensors composing the second displacement sensor pair are respectively disposed in two quadrants in which the two sets of sensors composing the first displacement sensor pair are respectively disposed.

Abstract: A robot includes a movable unit that is movable in a first region and a second region. In a case where a first portion of the movable unit is positioned within the second region, a speed of the first portion is not 0 and is limited to a speed lower than the maximum speed of the first portion in a case where the first portion is positioned within the first region.

Abstract: An end effector for laying down fibers on a laying mold, the end effector having at least one bobbin arrangement of a system type, the system type being defined by virtue of the fact that the bobbin arrangement has a first bobbin for providing a first fiber strand and a second bobbin for providing a second fiber strand, the rotational axes of the first and the second bobbin being arranged at an angle with respect to one another, the first fiber strand and the second fiber strand being merged over a deflection unit and being guided from a corner region of the end effector jointly into a center region of the end effector and further to a pressure roller.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gripper of a robot and a robot including the same. The gripper may include a case, a plurality of fingers rotatably connected to the case, and a plurality of connecting rods. A first end of each of the connecting rods may be connected to a respective one of the fingers. The gripper may also include a driving assembly connected to a second end of each of the connecting rods, and the driving assembly may be configured to drive the second end of each of the connecting rods to move along a moving direction so as to drive the plurality of finger to rotate. The gripper may further include a force detecting assembly connected to the case and the driving assembly, which may be configured to limit a position of the driving assembly along the moving direction and to detect a force from the driving assembly.

Abstract: A gripping device includes a bag-shaped gripping body, a plurality of elastic portions, and a shape holding portion. The gripping body includes a palm portion, and a plurality of finger portions protruding from a periphery of the palm portion and configured to fall toward the palm portion by deforming the palm portion in a thickness direction. The plurality of elastic portions is respectively provided in the plurality of finger portions, each of the plurality of elastic portions having a shape of each of the plurality of finger portions. The shape holding portion is provided in the gripping body to prevent contraction of an outer periphery of the palm portion. The shape holding portion includes a guide bore for receiving the palm portion when being deformed, and a curved portion provided on an outer side of a distal end of the shape holding portion in an axial direction of the guide bore. The distal end faces the plurality of finger portions.

Abstract: A curved scissor linkage mechanism (1) includes at least four linkage elements (2) each having a first end (3) and a second end (4). The linkage elements are arranged to form sides of one or more rhombi or parallelograms. Each linkage element is rotationally connected to another linkage elements via a revolute joint (5) at the first end and is rotationally connected to another one of the other linkage elements via another revolute joint at the second end. The linkage elements are configured so that the axes of each joint coincide at one common remote centre of motion. The mechanism is connectable to a first external member (7) at a proximal end and is rotationally connectable to a second external member (9) at an opposite distal end to obtain three DOFs. The scissor linkage mechanism may further include a motion controlling mechanism.

Abstract: A mounting bracket includes: a first flange mounted on a wrist leading end surface of a robot allowing a linear object to penetrate therethrough along a rotation center axis of a wrist leading end, the first flange having a first through-hole through which the linear object passes; a second flange that is spaced apart from the first flange in a direction of the rotation center axis and on which an end effector is mounted; and a cylindrical coupling part coupling an outer edge of the first flange and an outer edge of the second flange, the coupling part is provided with opening parts through which the linear object penetrated through the first through-hole passes, and at least at positions of the opening parts, the outer edge of the second flange is disposed in a position closer to the rotation center axis than the outer edge of the first flange.

Abstract: A robot includes: a first arm having a first body, a first housing fixed to the first body, and a first gear transmitting power to a rotary member supported by the first housing so as to be rotatable; a second arm supporting the first arm and having a second body, a second shaft having a second gear meshing with the first gear, and a second bearing supporting the second shaft so that the second shaft is rotatable relative to the second body; and a channel in the arms. An inlet of the channel is formed in an outer surface of the first body, an outlet of the channel opening into a space in which an outer peripheral surface of the second shaft and the second bearing are arranged inside the second arm, the channel extending from the inlet to the outlet through inside of the first body.

Abstract: A robot having joint shaft that includes: a first-link member and a second-link that are coupled about a rotation axis; a reducer that has an input-shaft fixed to the first-link and an output-shaft fixed to the second-link; a motor that generates a driving force to be input to the reducer; and an input-side encoder and an output-side encoder. The motor is away from the rotation axis, and a power transmission mechanism is provided between the motor and the reducer. The reducer includes a hollow-part and a tubular-member. The tubular-member passes through the hollow-part, one end of which is fixed to the input-shaft or the output-shaft, and the other end of which protrudes from the input-shaft or the output-shaft. The output-side encoder includes a scale and a sensor. The scale is fixed to the tubular-member; and the sensor is fixed to the input-shaft or the output-shaft.

Abstract: The multifunctional pocket knife (1) is composed of a handle (2) formed by two joined-together flanks (3, 3?) that provide at least one stowage space (4) for tools that each pivot about link pins (5, 5?) arranged at each end of the handle (2). It is characterized in that it comprises a planar tick-removal instrument (6) that pivots about one of said link pins (5, 5?) and that extends along the longitudinal axis of the pocket knife. Tick-removal instrument (6) designed to be incorporated into a multifunctional pocket knife (1).

Abstract: This application concerns a comb (200) for a hair clipper comprising a comb portion (208) comprising a plurality of comb teeth (216) having slots formed there between for guiding hairs to a cutting element of the hair clipper. The comb portion may be configured such that, when the comb is attached to the hair clipper, a substantially wedge-shaped hair debris-receiving space is formed between the housing and the comb portion into which hair debris can flow. The comb teeth may comprise an extension portion (230) which extends generally forwardly away from the respective comb tooth in a cutting movement direction such that a connecting bar is spaced apart from a housing of the hair clipper by a greater distance than the plurality of comb teeth.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade set (20) of a hair cutting appliance (10) includes forming a stationary blade (22). The stationary blade (22) comprises a first wall portion (100) arranged to serve as a skin facing wall when in operation, a second wall portion (102) at least partially offset from the first wall portion (100), such that the first wall portion (100) and the second wall portion (102) define therebetween a guide slot (96) arranged to receive a movable cutter blade (24), an intermediate wall portion (44) arranged between the first wall portion (100) and the second wall portion (102), and at least one toothed leading edge (30) jointly formed by the first wall portion (100) and the second wall portion (102). The at least one toothed leading edge (30) comprises a plurality of teeth (36), wherein the first wall portion (100) and the second wall portion (102) are connected at a frontal end of the at least one leading edge (30), thereby forming tips (86) of the teeth (36).

Abstract: A grooming device having a housing with a blade receiving section and a handle section. A blade is disposed within the blade receiving section of the housing and retained within the housing by a removable cap. The handle section is removably connected to a holder. Preferably, the housing has a circular top edge and bottom edge that have diameters greater than a transition section in-between.

Abstract: The multi-sectional safety razor invention bi-furcated the traditional one and a half (1.5) inch single blade into equal pieces ranging from at least 2 and up in number. These smaller square blades bear a hollowed out center hole which allows them to be fixed and looked into the razor head base. The razor base is made of plastic and there are plastic pegs protruding outwardly. The individual segmented razors look in place on the pegs. A clear cover is heat fused to the razor enclosing the segmented razors to the razor head base. This multi-sectional security razor makes this razor a safe alternative to the existing disposable products as used by the prison systems, hospitals, facilities and the general public.

Abstract: A package opener comprises a handle having a first half and a second half. A plurality of blade cartridges are sandwiched between the first half and the second half, wherein the plurality of blade cartridges include at least one package opening blade cartridge, at least one dual blade cartridge, and at least one envelope cutting blade cartridge. The package opening blade cartridge is configured at an operative bottom end of the handle. The dual blade cartridge is configured at an operative rear end of the handle. The envelope cutting blade cartridge is configured at an operative front end of the handle.

Abstract: The modular cutter assembly for cutting composite material and for use in a composite placement machine wherein the cutter assembly includes a base and a cutting member. The cutting member being removably attachable to the base by a mechanical connection.

Abstract: A blade holder (1) for a longitudinal cutting machine includes a rotatably mounted blade head (3) for holding a circular blade (4) and at least one locking device (2). At least one actuator actuates an element of the blade holder (1), and a moveably mounted adjusting slide (5) positions the blade head (3) on the longitudinal cutting machine. The adjusting slide (5) for positioning of the blade head (3) is moveable from a starting position to a positioning point. With the blade holder, materials can be cut perfectly with high precision. In particular, materials such as tissue, non-woven materials, paper, OLED film, displays, battery film, lithium batteries, aluminum, copper film, anodes, and cathodes can be cut.

Abstract: The apparatus for processing flat objects includes a transport system with several rotatably mounted conveyor rollers, the flat objects transportable in the direction of transport, and at least one releasably mounted tool module releasably coupled to only one drive shaft or to a lower and an upper rotatably mounted drive shaft; is supported displaceable along the only one drive shaft or the lower and the upper drive shaft; and is equipped with tool parts for processing the flat objects, of which at least one is drivable by the lower or the upper drive shaft. The tool module is supported by a tool carrier which is displaceable by means of a rotatably mounted setting shaft in parallel to the only one drive shaft and to the lower and the upper drive shafts, and which tool carrier has at least one holding element which serves for releasably holding the tool module.

Abstract: A hand-operated lettuce-cutting appliance with a chassis has a cutter grid and positioning device for positioning the chassis on at least one support. The appliance further includes a guide well having a bottom end extending adjacent to and facing said cutter grid and a vegetable-pusher device mounted to slide along at least one column fastened to the chassis so as to extend parallel to the well. The vegetable-pusher device has a body shaped so as to engage in the well in order to push the vegetable through the cutter grid.

Abstract: A processing system (10) and corresponding method (158) are provided for processing workpieces (WP), including food items, to cut and remove undesirable components from the food items and/or portion the food items while being conveyed on a conveyor system (12). An X-ray scanning station (14) is located on an upstream conveyor section (20) to ascertain size and/or shape parameters of the food items as well as the location of any undesirable components of the food items, such as bones, fat or cartilage. Thereafter the food items are transferred to a downstream conveyor (20) at which is located an optical scanner (102) to ascertain the size and/or shape parameters of the food items. The results of the X-ray and optical scanning are transmitted to a processor (18) to confirm that the food item scanned by the optical scanner is the same as that previously scanned by the X-ray scanner.

Abstract: A thermally actuated fibre optic cutting device including: a housing configured to receive an optical fibre element which passes through the housing from one side of the housing to another side of the housing in one continuous portion, wherein the optical fibre element is capable of transmitting a source of light along its length; one or more retaining portions for retaining the optical fibre element; and, a cutting element disposed within the housing for cutting the continuous portion of the optical fibre element in response to a change in temperature, the cutting element being moveable in a direction towards the continuous portion of the optical fibre element.

Abstract: A pad supporting frame has a carrier board and a supporting structure. The supporting structure is detachably disposed on the carrier board. The supporting structure is detachably disposed on the bottom surface of the carrier board. In delivery, the carrier board and the supporting structure can be stacked separately for increasing the utilization of the delivery space. Molds of the carrier board and the supporting structure can be made separately for decreasing the volumes of the molds. For cutting a pad disposed on the carrier board, the carrier board can be directly disposed on the tabletop. The carrier board will not be deformed and the cutting quality of the pad is improved.

Abstract: A blade changer unit includes a blade chuck for holding a cutting blade, a moving unit for moving the blade chuck, and a control unit for controlling moving unit. The blade chuck has a plurality of electrically conductive grippers for holding the cutting blade. The controller detects conduction between the grippers and a boss. The control unit includes a calculator for calculating the position of a central axis of the mount from coordinates where the conduction between the holder and the boss is detected when the moving unit is controlled to bring the grippers into contact with the mount at at least three points, and a mounting/dismounting controller for mounting and dismounting the cutting blade while the central axis of the blade chuck is aligned with the central axis of the mount calculated by the calculator.

Abstract: Provided are rotary dies that can cut amorphous materials while having suppressed wear. The rotary dies are adapted to cut a target, and include an anvil roller, a die cutter, a first elastic portion, and a second elastic portion. The anvil roller rotates while supporting the target. The die cutter has a projecting edge for cutting the target and is configured to rotate. The first elastic portion is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the anvil roller, and elastically deforms upon contacting the rear surface of the target when the target is cut. The second elastic portion is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the die cutter, and elastically deforms upon contacting the front surface of the target when the target is cut. The hardness of the first elastic portion is greater than that of the second elastic portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming a kerf in a workpiece, which may be used with a table saw for simultaneously cutting the workpiece to length. A fence-engaging member engages a fence of the table saw to prevent movement of the apparatus relative to the fence. A rotary cutting tool for forming the kerf in the workpiece, is disposed above a work surface supporting the workpiece. A guide member for engaging the workpiece prevents the workpiece from translating in the transverse direction, while permitting the workpiece to translate on the longitudinal direction, on the work surface relative to the rotary cutting tool. A motor-actuated feed roller assists with moving the workpiece into engagement with the rotary cutting tool. An enclosure for the rotary cutting tool defines a dust collection port.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system for shape sawing wood may include a feed unit and a saw box pivotably coupled to, and suspended from, one end of the feed unit. The saw box may be coupled to the side walls of the feed unit by pivot pins that define a rotational axis. A motor may be mounted to one side of the saw box to drive a saw arbor in rotation. The system may include an actuator that is selectively actuable to pivot the saw box about the rotational axis relative to the feed unit. Another actuator may be provided to move the saw box laterally along the pivot members. The feed unit may be slideably mounted on rails and selectively movable along the rails relative to a feed axis that extends through the saw box and the feed unit.

Abstract: A guide bar for a chain saw comprising two opposite elongate surfaces and a slot formed between said opposite sides running along the periphery of the guide bar, in order to receive and retain the chain during cutting. At least one of the elongate surfaces is furrowed across its surface in the direction of the cutting movement of the guide bar. The invention also relates to an apparatus for operating the chain saw in a forestry machine.

Abstract: A cross-laminated timber processing equipment comprises a longitudinal board loading mechanism, a transverse board loading mechanism, an adhesive spraying mechanism, laying cars, presses, a transfer car, and an unloading car. The longitudinal board loading mechanism lays longitudinal boards on a laying car at an assembly station, and the transverse board loading mechanism lays transverse boards on the laying car. The longitudinal boards and the transverse boards are perpendicularly and alternately laid layer by layer. The adhesive spraying mechanism is provided above the assembly station, and sprays an adhesive on the upper surfaces of assembled boards. The transfer car moves back and forth between a conveying station and an idle press through the assembly station, carries the laying cars and the assembled boards, and feeds the laying cars and the assembled boards into the presses for compaction.

Abstract: A delignified wood material is formed by removing substantially all of the lignin from natural wood. The resulting delignified wood retains cellulose-based lumina of the natural wood, with nanofibers of the cellulose microfibrils being substantially aligned along a common direction. The unique microstructure and composition of the delignified wood can provide advantageous thermal insulation and mechanical properties, among other advantages described herein. The thermal and mechanical properties of the delignified wood material can be tailored by pressing or densifying the delignified wood, with increased densification yielding improved strength and thermal conductivity. The chemical composition of the delignified wood also offers unique optical properties that enable passive cooling under solar illumination.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus utilizing combined electron beam selective melting and electron beam cutting. One electron beam emitting, focusing, and scanning device (6) is capable of emitting electron beams (67, 68) in three modes of heating, selective melting, and electron beam cutting. The electron beam in the heating mode is emitted to scan and preheat a powder bed (7). The electron beam (67) in the selective melting mode is emitted to scan and melt powder (71) in a section outline to form a section layer of a component. The electron beam (68) in the electron beam cutting mode is emitted to perform one or more cutting scans on inner and outer outlines (74, 75) of a section of the component to obtain accurate and smooth inner and outer outlines of the section. The heating, melting deposition, and outline cutting processes are repeated to obtain a required three-dimensional physical component.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic formed body comprises: a wet mixing step of adding a liquid containing water to ceramic raw material mixed powder and subjecting it to wet mixing in a continuous mixer; and an extrusion molding step of feeding the wet mixed powder obtained in the wet mixing step to an extruder by a belt feeder and extruding the wet mixed powder. In the method for producing the ceramic formed body, an amount of the wet mixed powder fed to the extruder is adjusted based on an amount of mass change of the wet mixed powder stored in a reservoir provided between the continuous mixer and the belt feeder.

Abstract: Ceramic honeycomb extrusion apparatus and a method of extruding a honeycomb body are disclosed. The honeycomb extrusion apparatus and method utilize a homogenizer plate comprising through holes and a screen support plate comprising screen support plate openings and aligned with the through holes.

Abstract: A method for producing a honeycomb structure including producing an unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body; placing the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body on a receiving table such that the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body stands thereon; conveying the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body placed on the receiving table; drying the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body after the conveying step, or drying the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body during the conveying to obtain a honeycomb dried body; and firing the honeycomb dried body to obtain a honeycomb structure. The receiving table includes at least one protrusion. In the honeycomb formed body conveying step, the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body is conveyed while supporting it by inserting the at least one protrusion of the receiving table into a bottom surface of the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body placed on the receiving table.

Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a chuck table for holding a workpiece, a processing unit for processing the workpiece held on the chuck table as supplying a processing water to the workpiece, and a water pan fixed to a bottom of the processing apparatus for receiving the processing water as a water leaked.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of an elastomer agglomerate composition, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a slurry comprising elastomeric particles in water, wherein the slurry has a temperature of 40 to 80° C., wherein the elastomeric particles are selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene particles, poly(styrene butadiene) particles comprising at least 50 wt % of units derived from butadiene, poly(acrylonitrile butadiene) particles and polybutylacrylate particles and combinations thereof, and wherein the slurry is substantially free of chemical agglomerants, preferably the amount of the chemical agglomerants being less than 0.01 wt % with respect to the total of the solids content in the slurry and any chemical agglomerants; and (b) forcing the slurry through an aperture to obtain the elastomer agglomerate composition.

Abstract: A preform molding system is disclosed that includes a cavity half that is mountable to a stationary platen of an injection molding machine and a core half that is mountable to a moving platen of the injection molding machine. The preform molding system includes a mold stack assembly having a cavity portion and a core portion. The cavity portion is coupled to the cavity half and includes a cavity insert, and the core portion is coupled to the core half and includes a core insert, a pair of neck rings, and a stripper ring. The core insert has an undercut that defines an annular protrusion on an internal surface of a preform that is created in the mold stack assembly. The preform molding system is configured to permit in sequence, retraction of the pair of neck rings away from the core insert and ejection of the preform from the core insert via the stripper ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for impregnating fiber bundles with a polymer melt, in which device fiber bundles, which are inserted in parallel with one another into a slot-like infeed of an impregnation unit (4), are guided through between two guide plates (16, 17), which have undulating surfaces and are arranged so as to be complementary to one another at a defined spacing, and are discharged from the impregnation unit (4) via an outlet (28), the fiber bundles being saturated with the polymer melt while passing through the impregnation unit (4), which polymer melt following the slot-like infeed is introduced between the guide plates (16, 17) into the passage (29). According to the invention, the impregnation unit (4) comprises at least two passages (29) for a defined number of fiber bundles in each case, the passages (29) each comprising an inlet (26) for polymer melt.

Abstract: Pulp fiber containing little ash is effectively recovered from a used sanitary product containing the pulp fiber and a polymer absorbent. The method according to the present invention comprises: a step for treating the used sanitary product with an ozone-containing gas and thus decomposing and removing at least a portion of the polymer absorbent in the used sanitary product; and a step for stirring the used sanitary product, that has been treated with the ozone-containing gas, in water or an aqueous solution containing an antiseptic and thus decomposing the used sanitary product into constituents. If required, the method may further comprise a step for separating the pulp fiber from the decomposition product obtained by the decomposition step.

Abstract: A method of arranging, in particular thermoplastic, semi-finished products by using an electronically controlled or regulated placing device for the semi-finished products. The method includes detecting at least one part of an outline of a semi-finished product to be placed, wherein the detecting is carried out by a detection device, determining a target position for the semi-finished product and/or for the placing device for placing the semi-finished product by matching the at least one part of the outline with a placing edge occurring on an underlying surface, and placing the semi-finished product by the placing device using the target position.

Abstract: A heating blanket (18), useful for debulking and/or curing composite materials, comprising at least one heating element comprising a carbon nanotube (CNT) structured layer defining an electrically conductive pathway having a first end and a second end and a first electrical terminal (19) electrically coupled to the first end and a second electrical terminal (21) electrically coupled to the second end, and an elastomeric outer covering, encasing the at least one heating element, wherein the at least one heating element is responsive to an electromotive force applied across the first and the second electrical terminals to produce heat.

Abstract: A curing lamp apparatus mounts to a work surface with a suction cup. A base is mounted to the suction cup and defines a hinge point for a first bar. At a distal end of the first bar, a second bar is hingedly mounted to the first bar. A first lamp element is hingedly mounted to one end of the second bar. A second lamp element is hingedly mounted to a second end of the second bar. The first and second lamp elements are positionable in a variety of positions to follow the path of a crack in a surface to be repaired. The lamp elements are also foldable into a storage position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are induction heating cells and methods of using these cells for processing. An induction heating cell may be used for processing (e.g., consolidating and/or curing a composite layup having a non-planar portion. The induction heating cell comprises a caul, configured to position over and conform to this non-planar portion. Furthermore, the cell comprises a mandrel, configured to position over the caul and force the caul again the surface of the feature. The CTE of the caul may be closer to the CTE of the composite layup than to the CTE of the mandrel. As such, the caul isolates the composite layup from the dimensional changes of the mandrel, driven by temperature fluctuations. At the same time, the caul may conform to the surface of the mandrel, which can be used to define the shape and transfer pressure to the non-planar portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of hollow plastic articles in a rotational molding process as well as to hollow plastic articles made by such a process, in particular to a process for the production of hollow plastic articles which exhibit a colored surface exhibiting striking pearlescent or metallic effects.

Abstract: A stator for use in a positive displacement motor or a progressing cavity pump. The stator comprises an elastomer mix preferably including rubber and a fiber reinforcement. The fiber reinforcement includes a plurality of fibers. The elastomer mix is formed into a stator via an injection molding process. The injection molding process includes a shear flow step in which shear flow is induced in the elastomer mix while the elastomer mix is in an uncured state. The shear flow modifies the orientation of the fibers into an advantageous modified fiber orientation. Shear flow is induced preferably via differential rotation of injection mold assembly elements during the injection molding process. Methods of manufacturing the stator are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a sewn workpiece in which a sewn part that needs to be sewed is provided to a base material made of resin, the sewn part includes a bent part, and a hole for guiding a sewing needle from a front surface side of the base material to a back surface side thereof is provided to the bent part.