Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of automotive lamps, particularly a method for manufacturing a light emitting device (10) for use in automotive lamps. The method comprises: providing a base substrate (11) with a LED die (12) and one or more electrical components (13) attached thereon into a first mold; melting and injecting an optical transparent material over the LED die (12) to form an optical structure (14); removing the base substrate (11) from the first mold once the optical transparent material is partially solidified; providing the base substrate (11) into a second mold different from the first mold; and melting and injecting a thermally conductive material into the second mold while the optical transparent material is not fully solidified, such that an intimate connection is formed between the thermally conductive material and the optical transparent material. The present invention further discloses the light emitting device (10) per se.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding apparatus for feeding pasty masses, in particular silicone, to an injection molding machine, having a pressing cylinder which receives the pasty mass, and a pressing plunger which is arranged axially in said pressing cylinder and presses the pasty mass out of a squeezing nozzle of the pressing cylinder. It is an object of the invention to avoid operational interruptions for cleaning work in the case of a feeding apparatus of this type and to avoid material losses within the feeding apparatus in the case of the successive use of different pasty masses. In order to achieve said object, the invention proposes that the pressing cylinder is configured as a cartridge (3) which contains the pasty mass, consists of a polymer, and can be inserted exchangeably into a supporting housing (2) which supports the cartridge on all sides and is connected to an axial actuating drive (5) for the pressing plunger (3d) which is situated in the cartridge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mold closing unit (10) for an injection molding machine for processing plastics and other compounds that can be plasticized, such as ceramic and pulverous compounds. Said mold closing unit comprises at least one machine bed (20), at least one stationary platen (14), and at least one platen (16) that can be moved relative to the stationary platen (14) by means of a drive mechanism (44), wherein the movable platen (16) can be moved on a slide (22) having guide shoes (26) along at least one guide (24) attached to the machine bed (20), and the drive mechanism (44) has at least one gear rack drive (38) driven by at least one drive motor (32).

Abstract: An injection molding device includes an injection machine, a molding die, and a high frequency oscillation device. The injection machine injects a resin material containing a dielectric heat generating material while keeping fluidity by temperature control. The molding die includes a cavity being a channel of flow of the resin material, and a pair of electrodes, each of which faces the cavity, the pair of electrodes being disposed to sandwich the resin material therebetween in a direction crossing a direction of the flow. The high frequency oscillation device applies a high frequency alternate-current voltage to the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing the so-called “bladders”, that is generally tubular elements made of rubber, which can be inflated and used as compacting tools in the processed for curing composites, allowing to distribute homogeneously, on the surface in contact to the portion to be cured, the pressure obtained by inletting air or other gas inside thereof.

Abstract: A method for the production control of an extruded plastic product with the following steps: recording at a first measuring point a first actual temperature of a measuring area provided on the plastic product, recording a second actual temperature of the measuring area at a second measuring point which is arranged at a distance from the first measuring point in a direction of extrusion of the plastic product, determining a setpoint temperature of the measuring area at the second measuring point, and outputting information on whether the second actual temperature is inside or outside a prescribed tolerance range of the setpoint temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a device for reshaping plastic parisons into plastic containers, including a plurality of blow moulding stations each having blow mould devices which form a cavity, inside which the plastic parisons can be reshaped into plastic containers, and including at least one application device by which a flowable medium can be applied to the plastic parisons for expansion thereof, and at least one valve device which is arranged between at least one pressure reservoir and at least one application device and by which the supply and/or removal of the flowable medium, in particular under high pressure, in particular the blowing pressure and/or volume flow thereof, to the application device can be influenced or controlled.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for transforming plastic preforms (10) to form plastic containers (20) with a plurality of blow moulding stations (8), wherein these blow moulding stations (8) each have a blow moulding device (14) which consists of two blow mould halves and a base mould, and wherein the blow moulding device in each case forms a cavity inside which the plastic preforms (10) can be transformed to form the plastic containers (20), and which is releasably arranged indirectly or directly on blow mould supports (16), wherein each blow moulding device has at least one temperature control device (30) with at least one electrical heating element (32) for temperature control of at least some regions of the blow moulding device (14). According to the invention the apparatus (1) has at least one electrical connection (34) which can be automatically released and/or automatically made between at least one electrical heating element (32) and the blow moulding station (8).

Abstract: A filling cylinder assembly for a container forming and filling system that simultaneously forms and fills a container from a preform with fluid. The filling cylinder assembly includes a cylinder having an inner wall defining a cavity. A piston head is at a distal end of a piston rod. An insert is configured to be seated in the cavity to provide the cavity with a reduced volume such that with the insert seated within the cavity the cavity has a first volume, and without the insert seated in the cavity the cavity has a second volume that is greater than the first volume.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for processing containers and in particular for reshaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, including a transport device which transports the containers along a predetermined transport path, wherein this transport device has a movable support, on which a plurality of processing stations are arranged, which in each case are suitable and intended for processing the plastic preforms, with a clean room, which surrounds at least portions of the transport path of the plastic preforms and which is delimited by at least one wall relative to the environment. Further, the apparatus has at least one inspection device for inspecting the containers, wherein this inspection device has an image capturing device, wherein this image capturing device is arranged at least partially outside the clean room and monitors at least one region of the containers through at least one wall of the clean room.

Abstract: A blow molding machine is subjected to a sterilizing treatment in a simple manner. A liquid sterilizer is filled into preforms of at least the same number as the number of spindles. In a heating unit that heats the preforms to a molding temperature, some of the liquid sterilizer is caused to diffuse, and blow air is blasted into preforms in which the liquid sterilizer remains to cause the liquid sterilizer to diffuse in a molding unit, and molded bottles are discharged.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for reshaping plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers (20) has a blow moulding device (14) which has at least two side parts (14a, 14b) and a base mould (14c) which form a hollow space inside which the plastic preforms (10) are reshaped into the plastic containers (20), wherein the apparatus has a changing device (40) which is suitable and intended either to remove the complete blow moulding device (14) or only parts (14a, 14b, 14c) of the blow moulding device (14) from the blow mould supports (16) thereof and/or to arrange them on the blow mould supports (16), wherein the base mould (14c) is arranged on a base mounting (19), and in a changing mode, through a lifting movement (H) and in particular a lifting and/or lowering of the base mounting (19), the base mould (14c) can be connected to the base mounting (19) or can be disconnected from the base mounting (19), and between the base mounting (19) and the base mould (14c) at least one first disconnectable media connection (21) is provided,

Abstract: A hollow article 10 is molded in a state where an inner surface of a neck portion 11 including an inner screw portion is held by an inner neck mold 52, and then, the hollow article 10 is demolded from the inner neck mold 52 by inserting an ejection rod 81 into the hollow article 10 to be engaged with an inner surface of the hollow article 10 and rotating the hollow article 10 together with the ejection rod 81.

Abstract: A paint roller manufacturing system and method are described. In an embodiment, an inner strip of material and an outer strip of material are wound about a mandrel in offset relation. The inner strip of material and the outer strip of material each comprise material that results in a final paint roller which shrinks by less than 2.5 percent of the final paint roller axial length, or which has shrinkage that varies by less +/?0.1%, upon hardening and setting. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the outer strip as it is wound about the mandrel. A length of fabric is wound about at least the outer strip to form a paint roller tube, and compression is applied to the paint roller tube while advancing the paint roller tube in a direction parallel to the mandrel. A precision measuring or sensing device is used to control a cutting device causing the cutting device to cut the advancing paint roller tube into pre-selected lengths prior to the paint roller tube hardening and setting.

Abstract: A paint roller manufacturing system and method are described. In an embodiment, an inner strip of material and an outer strip of material are wound about a mandrel in offset relation. The inner strip of material and the outer strip of material each comprise material that results in a final paint roller which shrinks by less than 2.5 percent of the final paint roller axial length, or which has shrinkage that varies by less +/?0.1%, upon hardening and setting. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the outer strip as it is wound about the mandrel. A length of fabric is wound about at least the outer strip to form a paint roller tube, and compression is applied to the paint roller tube while advancing the paint roller tube in a direction parallel to the mandrel. A precision measuring or sensing device is used to control a cutting device causing the cutting device to cut the advancing paint roller tube into pre-selected lengths prior to the paint roller tube hardening and setting.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for copying a surface texture of a surface carrier object to an air tight thermoplastic surface layer of an interior cladding component of a vehicle, by fixing the airtight thermoplastic surface layer inside the pressure chamber such that the airtight thermoplastic surface layer divides the pressure chamber into a first and second pressure chamber section by positioning the surface carrier object inside the pressure chamber with a positioning device in the vicinity of the airtight thermoplastic surface layer with the surface texture facing the airtight thermoplastic surface layer. By applying a pressure difference between the first and second pressure chamber section, the airtight thermoplastic surface layer is pressed on the surface carrier object, thereby copying a surface texture of a surface carrier object to an airtight thermoplastic surface layer. An interior cladding component of a vehicle, comprising an airtight thermoplastic surface layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising transporting a conduit and a template through a guide tube; the template being disposed on an outer surface of the conduit between the conduit and the guide tube; and transferring a texture from the template to the conduit as the conduit and the template are transported through the guide tube. Disclosed herein too is an apparatus comprising a guide tube; the guide tube being operative to facilitate a transfer of a pattern from a template to a conduit; a first feed spool and a first take-up spool for feeding the conduit through the guide tube and for taking up the conduit after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively; and a second feed spool and a second take-up spool for feeding the template through the guide tube and for taking up the template after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively.

Abstract: A paint roller manufacturing system and method are described. In an embodiment, an inner strip of material and an outer strip of material are wound about a mandrel in offset relation. The inner strip of material and the outer strip of material each comprise material that results in a final paint roller which shrinks by less than 2.5 percent of the final paint roller axial length, or which has shrinkage that varies by less +/?0.1%, upon hardening and setting. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the outer strip as it is wound about the mandrel. A length of fabric is wound about at least the outer strip to form a paint roller tube, and compression is applied to the paint roller tube while advancing the paint roller tube in a direction parallel to the mandrel. A precision measuring or sensing device is used to control a cutting device causing the cutting device to cut the advancing paint roller tube into pre-selected lengths prior to the paint roller tube hardening and setting.

Abstract: A device for producing a skin care pack using a hydrogel is disclosed. The device includes: a housing provided with a door for selectively opening and closing a work space for forming a skin care pack; a platform having a base supported on a floor plate of the work space of the housing; a former containing one or more nozzle modules which are provided to be movable in the work space and each contains a peristaltic pump for receiving a heated hydrogel and then discharging same onto the platform through a nozzle; and a control unit for controlling the movement of the nozzle modules, and controlling the peristaltic pumps, thereby controlling the discharge of the hydrogel from the nozzle modules.

Abstract: Silicone elastomer-containing 3D articles are printed by a drop on demand technique using at least one first crosslinkable silicone as a structure forming material and at least one further structure forming material which is preferably a crosslinkable silicone different from the first crosslinkable silicone.

Abstract: In the context of an extrusion deposition modeling to form three-dimensional objects, adhesion of extruded materials to a build surface is achieved by preparing the build surface using an intermediary coating that substantially adheres to the build surface, and a bondable particulate material, applied to the intermediary coating, that becomes affixed to the intermediary coating and provides a surface to which the extruded materials may attach.

Abstract: A system for additively manufacturing a composite structure is disclosed. The system may include a support, and a print head operatively connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may be configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement that is at least partially coated in a liquid matrix. The system may also include a cure enhancer connected to the print head and configured to expose the discharge to cure energy to cause the, and a controller in communication with the heater and the cure enhancer. The controller may be configured to selectively activate the heater and the cure enhancer.

Abstract: Wearable and implantable devices that are used to support human anatomy and are formed using additive manufacturing are provided. Systems and methods for performing additive manufacturing allow for the formulation of a mesh material that has localized stiffness and slack in regions to best serve the needs of the patient. For example, regions of the mesh material can be designed to rigidly support portions of human anatomy, such as injured tissue, while regions of the mesh material adjacent to the injured tissue can be designed to closely mimic movement of the relevant human anatomy. For example, the mesh material can be formed in a manner such that it does not fold in those regions, and therefore is not obtrusive. The present disclosure allows for control of toolpaths when printing fibers used to form the devices. Other devices, as well as systems and methods for creating the same, are also provided.

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a light source unit, a photo-detector, and a control unit. The light source unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that emits light for curing a photo-curing resin. The photo-detector detects the light emitted from the light source unit. The control unit generates an amount-of-light profile indicating an amount-of-light distribution of the light on the basis of the light detected by the photo-detector and controls light emission of the plurality of light-emitting elements on the basis of the amount-of-light profile.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is disclosed for use in fabricating a structure. The additive manufacturing system may include a support, and an outlet configured to discharge a material. The outlet may be operatively connected to and moveable by the support in a normal travel direction during material discharge. The outlet may include a guide, and a compactor operatively connected to the guide at a trailing location relative to the normal travel direction. The compactor may be moveable in an axial direction of the guide. The outlet may also include at least one cure enhancer mounted to move with the compactor relative to the guide. The at least one cure enhancer may be configured to expose the material to a cure energy.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing device includes a recoater configured to push powder onto a build platform. The recoater defines an advancing direction for pushing powder. A first baffle is mounted to a first end of a leading edge of the recoater and a second baffle mounted to a second end of the leading edge of the recoater opposite the first end. Each of the first and second baffles includes a base mounted to the recoater, a first wall that extends obliquely ahead of and laterally outward from the base relative to the advancing direction, and a second wall opposite the first wall. The second wall extends obliquely ahead of and laterally inward from the base relative to the advancing direction. A volume is defined between the first and second wall with capacity to collect powder as the recoater advances.

Abstract: Some examples include a method of operating an additive manufacturing machine including spreading a build material in a first direction across a build surface to form a layer, the layer having a thickness, decreasing a distance between a spread mechanism and the build surface, and translating the spread mechanism in a second direction opposite the first direction over the build surface to reduce the thickness of the layer.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is disclosed for use in discharging a continuous reinforcement. The additive manufacturing system may include a support, and a compactor operatively connected to and movable by the support. The compactor may be configured to apply a pressure to the continuous reinforcement during discharge. The additive manufacturing system may also include a feed roller biased toward the compactor to sandwich the continuous reinforcement between the roller and the compactor, and a cutting mechanism at least partially recessed within at least one of the feed roller and the compactor. The cutting mechanism may be configured to selectively move radially outward to engage the continuous reinforcement.

Abstract: A system for additively manufacturing a structure is disclosed. The system may include a support, and a print head operatively connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may have an outlet that is oriented at an oblique angle relative to a central axis of the print head.

Abstract: A plasticizing apparatus for plasticizing a material to form a molten material includes a screw in a columnar shape having a groove formed face, in which a material flow channel including a groove portion to be supplied with the material is formed, and a barrel having a screw opposed face, which is a face opposed to the groove formed face, and in which a sending-out hole for sending out the molten material is formed at a center, and a heating portion heating the material. The material flow channel has a recess provided at a center of the groove formed face, and the groove portion extending in a spiral shape toward an outer circumference of the groove formed face from the recess, and a heat insulating portion having a lower thermal conductivity than an outer circumferential portion in the screw is provided in at least a part of an inner circumferential portion including the recess in the screw.

Abstract: A plasticizing apparatus for plasticizing a material to form a molten material includes a screw having a groove formed face, in which a groove portion in a spiral shape to be supplied with the material is formed, and a first heating portion heating the material, and a barrel having a screw opposed face, which is a face opposed to the groove formed face, and in which a sending-out hole for sending out the molten material is formed at a center, and a second heating portion heating the material.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine includes a build platform being movable along a build direction and a powder supply assembly for dispensing additive powder above a build plane. A recoating assembly is used for spreading the additive powder into a build layer on the powder bed. The recoating assembly includes a support beam that slidably supports a recoater blade and moves along a recoater direction over the powder bed. A blade positioning mechanism adjusts the vertical position of the recoater blade in response to measurements from a sensing device which measures a tip clearance between the recoater blade and the build plane. The tip clearance may be measured along the length of the recoater blade while stationary and while moving along the recoater direction to obtain a smooth and level layer of additive powder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for high-precision three-dimensional printing using a salt solution. The apparatus includes a receiving platform system and a printing device. The receiving platform system includes a conductivity cell, a high-voltage electrostatic generation system, a printing platform, and a printing platform driver. The conductivity cell contains salt solution. The high-voltage electrostatic generating system is connected with the conductivity cell. The printing platform is disposed in the salt solution in the conductivity cell. The printing platform driver is connected with the printing platform to drive the printing platform to move along a Z?-axis perpendicular to a horizontal direction. The printing device prints a product on the printing platform. The apparatus is convenient to operate, and solves the problems of low resolution of biological 3D printing, limited product height, and difficulty in using multiple printing methods in combination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an additive manufacturing device (100) for manufacturing a product (201), wherein the additive manufacturing device (100) comprises a build platform (200) comprising a build surface (260) configured to hold or support, during use, at least one product (201) being manufactured by an additive manufacturing process, wherein the build platform (200) is a modular building platform comprising at least one of a plurality of separable or separate modular build platform units (210), each comprising at least one build surface (260) configured to hold or support, during use, at least one product (201) being manufactured during the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: Powder module (1) for an apparatus (2) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, which powder module (1) comprises a holding device (5) adapted to hold a build plate (3) of the powder module (1), wherein the holding device (5) comprises at least one clamping unit (6) connectable with and disconnectable from a recess (7) in the build plate (3), wherein the clamping unit (6) is moveable between a first position in which the clamping unit (6) is connected with the build plate (3) and a second position in which the clamping unit (6) is disconnected from the recess (7).

Abstract: According to examples, an apparatus may include a hopper having side walls, a bed positioned within the side walls, and a porous membrane supported above the bed. The porous membrane may have a plurality of pores having sizes that are between about 5 microns and about 15 microns and having a density of about 10 and about 30 percent of a material forming the porous membrane. A space between the bed and the porous membrane is to be pressurized with a gas and the gas is to flow through the porous membrane to fluidize particulate material provided on the porous membrane. The apparatus may also include a drain opening extending through the porous membrane and a drain aperture extending through the bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stereolithography device having a replaceable bottle to receive printing material, which bottle may be stored in or on a bottle holder and from which printing material may be withdrawn into the stereolithography device by means of a device-sided holder. A filling level sensor is attached to the bottle holder by which a filling level of the printing material in the bottle can be detected. A mini memory device is associated to the bottle where the stereolithography device stores information regarding the printing material in the bottle, in particular the filling level thereof.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is disclosed for use in fabricating a structure. The additive manufacturing system may include a support, and a print head configured to discharge a material and being operatively connected to and moveable by the support in a normal travel direction during material discharge. The print head may include a module located at a trailing side of the discharging material relative to the normal travel direction and being configured to compact the material and expose the material to a cure energy at a tool center point.

Abstract: The present application describes apparatus (100) for colouring an additively manufactured polymer part, comprising a chamber (106) for locating at least one additively manufactured polymer part (105) to be coloured, a first reservoir (102) for containing dye pigment particles to be suspended in a gas, and fluidly coupled to the chamber, and a further reservoir (104) for containing a solvent vapour, and fluidly coupled to the chamber. A method of colouring an additively manufactured polymer part is also described.

Abstract: A method for automatic printing of a three dimensional heterogeneous structure in accordance with a computer-aided design procedure, including the steps of: aspirating a first portion consisting of a first material (M1) in liquid form, from a first liquid container into a capillary (C); aspirating a second portion consisting of a second material (M2) in liquid form different than the first material (M1), from a second liquid container into said capillary (C), such that the first portion and the second portion constitute longitudinally different parts of a longitudinally heterogeneous filament (F) encompassed by the capillary (C); and extraction of the filament (F) from the capillary (C) thus laying it as a portion of a printed layer.

Abstract: A device for producing a skin care pack using hydrogel and a control method of the device are disclosed. The device includes a housing which is provided with a door for selectively opening and closing a work space for forming a skin care pack, and which maintains a forming temperature required for producing the skin care pack; a platform having a base supported on a floor plate of the work space of the housing; a former including one or more nozzle modules which are provided to be movable in the work space, and each of which includes a pump for receiving a heated hydrogel and then discharging it onto the platform through a nozzle, and includes a cooling device for cooling a pump motor of the pump; and a control unit for controlling the discharge of the hydrogel from the nozzle modules.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, system and methods are provided comprising receiving input including: coordinates of one or more regions to be fabricated on a build plate, a laser boundary for each of two or more lasers, wherein the lasers fabricate the one or more regions, and a processing time for each region; deriving a prioritized sequence of the one or more regions to be fabricated; determining, based on the received coordinates and received laser boundary, one or more potential lasers assignments for each region; determining, based on the determined potential laser assignments, the prioritized sequence of the one or more regions, and the processing time for each region, a laser-to-region sequence for the one or more lasers to fabricate the one or more regions; assigning the determined laser-to-region sequence to the one or more lasers for fabrication of the one or more regions. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an additive manufacturing process in which a layer of resin is deposited on a build surface and selectively cured via selective application of radiant energy so as to define the geometry of a cross-sectional layer of the component, such that uncured resin remaining on the build surface after curing defines a negative structure of the layer being cured. The method includes: using an imaging apparatus to produce an image of the negative structure; evaluating the image of the negative structure and controlling at least one aspect of the additive manufacturing process with reference to the image of the negative structure.

Abstract: An example method includes forming a layer of build material on a build platform of a 3-D printer and correlating X-Y position data and stereoscopic Z-position data for particles of the build material in the layer of build material that are determined to exceed a threshold criteria based on a measure attribute.

Abstract: A system, process, manufacturing technique and platform are herein provided for designing and/or manufacturing orthopedic devices, custom orthotics or personalized footwear based on computerized design software adapted to adjust the scanned information into a 3D model of the device substantially ready to production, wherein the system comprises an imaging module which uses image recognition to identify different anatomic parts of the foot to allow the design of the orthotics, and a human interface that allows showing the original scan of the foot at an opaque or semitransparent manner to allow visualization of the way the foot is going to fit and be supported by the designed custom orthotic.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a structure. The system may include a print head configured to discharge a material, and a support connected to and configured to move the print head during discharging to fabricate a structure. The system may also include a receiver mounted to the print head and configured to generate a signal indicative of at least one of a shape, a size, and a location of the discharged material, and a processor in communication with the receiver and the support. The processor may be configured to generate a data cloud of the structure fabricated by the additive manufacturing system based on the signal and based on a known position of the receiver at a time of signal generation. The processor may also be configured to make a comparison of the data cloud and a virtual model of the structure during discharging, and to selectively affect discharging based on the comparison.

Abstract: Techniques for evaluating support for an object to be fabricated via an additive fabrication device are provided. In some embodiments, a three-dimensional representation of the object is obtained and a plurality of voxels corresponding to the representation of the object is generated. A first supportedness value may be assigned to a first voxel of the plurality of voxels based on an amount of support provided by a support structure to the first voxel, and a second supportedness value determined for a second voxel of the plurality of voxels, wherein the second voxel neighbors the first voxel, and wherein the second supportedness value is determined based on the first supportedness value of the first voxel and a weight value representing a transmission rate of supportedness through voxels of the plurality of voxels.

Abstract: Methods for microwave melting of fiber mixtures to form composite materials include placing the fiber mixture in a receptacle located in a microwave oven. The methods further include microwave heating the mixture, causing a heat activated compression mechanism to automatically increase compressive force on the mixture, thereby eliminating air and void volumes. The heat activated compression mechanism can include a shape memory alloy wire connecting first and second compression brackets, or one or more ceramic blocks configured to increase in volume and thereby increase compression on the mixture.

Abstract: A hole cutter/punch arrangement that can be changed over quickly to a different hole cutter or punch or slitter, or can instead be converted to a sealer in manufacture of items from plastic film. A reciprocating drive such as an air cylinder is coupled to a transverse mount or holder, of a T-shaped profile and the punches and sealers each have a mounting shoe with a transverse T-profile channel to slide onto the mount where a detent holds the shoe releasably in place. A triple-tree arrangement of a center drive post and left and right guide posts connects to the transverse holder.

Abstract: A contact welding heating component and automatic welding machine for plasticizing the edges of thermally fusible/meltable material sheets disposed so as to overlap at least partially. A roughening device for the material sheets, which is disposed upstream of the trailing-material edge of the heating component in the direction of movement of the contact welding heating component, protrudes beyond the upper side of the heating component and/or the lower side of the heating component, wherein the roughening device extends transversely to the direction of movement of the contact welding heating component, adjoining the trailing-material edge of the heating component, and includes a number of sharp-edged raised roughening elements extending in the direction of movement of the contact welding heating component, preferably having a variable height in the direction of movement of the contact welding heating component. The automatic welding machine includes a contact welding heat component thus designed.