Abstract: A device and method for cleaving a sample includes: creating an indentation on a top surface of the sample by applying a downward force along a vertical axis, the axis perpendicular to the top surface of the sample; providing a breaking pin located under the sample to touch the bottom surface of the sample at a position that is directly opposite from the indentation; and, a cleaving bar for applying a downward force on the sample by providing a left side and right side breaker pin wherein the downward force comprises a left-side downward force extended through the left-side breaker pin and right-side downward force through the right side breaker pin. Further, the pins that provide the left-side and right-side downward force are disposed on a breaker bar and arranged to be on opposite sides of a vertical axis that extends through the indentation on the top surface.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of efficiently manufacturing a recycled pulp from a used sanitary article, said recycled pulp being reusable for sanitary articles and having an ash content and antibacterial properties both meeting the standards for sanitary articles. A method for manufacturing a recycled pulp reusable for sanitary articles by recovering a pulp fiber from a used sanitary article that contains the pulp fiber and a high water-absorbing polymer, said method comprising an ozone treatment step for immersing the used sanitary article or pulp fiber in an ozone-containing aqueous solution and thus disintegrating the high water-absorbing polymer contained in the used sanitary article or sticking to the pulp fiber, characterized in that the used sanitary article or pulp fiber is treated with a cationic antibacterial agent before, after or together with the ozone treatment step.

Abstract: A method of separating an inorganic material, the method comprising in the following order: a contact process of contacting a processing solution with a composite material, the composite material including a first organic substance that is decomposable by the processing solution, a second organic substance that is not decomposable by the processing solution, and an inorganic material; and a separation process of separating the inorganic material from the processing solution including a decomposition product of the first organic substance and the second organic substance, the contact process and the separation process including adjusting the processing solution to have a temperature that is equal to or greater than a softening point of the second organic substance.

Abstract: A device is provided for layered manufacture of at least a three-dimensional product by an additive manufacturing technique based on a powder. The invention therefore relates to a device for the layered manufacturer of a product based on a powder, in particular a metal powder. This device is fitted with a build chamber with a vertically movable build platform on which said product is manufactured and contains a powder dispenser for application of the successive powder layers on the build platform in a horizontal build surface. The powder dispenser can be moved back and forth over the build surface along a horizontal dispensing direction in order to apply said powder layers. Moreover, the device contains a hopper that must contain said powder in order to supply powder to the powder dispenser. This hopper has a bottom with a dosing opening that lets out into the build chamber and that works in combination with a dosing valve.

Abstract: A mold having an upper, medial, and lower bodies with a composite peripheral wall define an inside cavity which may have a complex shape as for instance, with circular protrusions, circular depressions, and axially aligned cylinders. Pour holes are provided for introducing a molding compound into the mold while allowing air to exit the cavity. The medial body may be made of multiple portions. The upper body may be axially lifted off the medial body and the medial body may be laterally moved away from the molded object which enables removal of the complex molded part.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an imprint template manufacturing apparatus includes: a supply head that supplies a liquid-repellent material in liquid form to a template having a convex portion where a concavo-convex pattern is formed on a stage; a moving mechanism that moves the stage and the supply head relatively in a direction along the stage; a controller that controls the supply head and the moving mechanism such that the supply head applies the liquid-repellent material to at least a side surface of the convex portion so as to avoid the concavo-convex pattern; and a cleaning unit that supplies a liquid to the template coated with the liquid-repellent material. The liquid-repellent material contains a liquid-repellent component and a non-liquid-repellent component that react with the surface of the template, and a volatile solvent that dissolves the liquid-repellent component. The liquid is a fluorine-based volatile solvent that dissolves the non-liquid-repellent component.

Abstract: A resin molding mold in accordance with the present application is a resin molding mold for molding a resin molded product. The resin molding mold includes a molding mold and a mirror-surface coat layer formed on a mold surface of the molding mold. The mirror-surface coat layer is formed by a thermosetting resin having a thermal conductivity in a range from 0.10 W/(mK) or more to 0.99 W/(mK) or less. The thickness of the mirror-surface coat layer is set in a range from 1.0 ?m or more to 30 ?m or less, and is preferably set to 20 ?m or less. The surface of the mirror-surface coat layer is provided with a flat-surface maintaining part formed into a substantially flat surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a roll type imprint master mold including disposing a base layer on a substrate including a first area and a second area adjacent to the first area, disposing an inorganic insulation layer on the base layer, forming a first mask pattern and a first resin pattern in the first area, forming a pattern layer by etching the inorganic insulation layer using the first resin and the first mask patterns as a mask, removing the first resin and the first mask patterns, forming a second mask pattern and a second resin pattern in the second area, forming a pattern layer by etching the inorganic insulation layer using the second resin and the second mask patterns as a mask, removing the second resin and the second mask patterns, separating the base layer from the substrate, and attaching the base layer onto a roll body.

Abstract: A vacuum port base comprises an upper face, a lower face, a first channel, and a second channel. The upper face is configured to interface with a vacuum port. The lower face is configured to interface with a surface of a tool. The first channel formed in the lower face is configured to receive an edge breather. The second channel formed within the vacuum port base is configured to receive the vacuum port such that the vacuum port is in fluid communication with the first channel and the edge breather to remove gases from a composite structure.

Abstract: The current inventive technology described methods and apparatus for the production of a helium-free balloon having customizable reflective features.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a continuous compression molding machine. The continuous compression molding machine comprises a tooling die, extending through a heating zone and a cooling zone, a tooling sleeve, and a biasing system. The tooling sleeve corresponds to the tooling die and is for use in forming a thermoplastic composite part from a thermoplastic composite charge when the tooling sleeve with the thermoplastic composite charge is moved with respect to the tooling die through the heating zone and the cooling zone. The biasing system is configured to hold the thermoplastic charge at a first angle within the heating zone and hold the thermoplastic composite charge at a second angle within the cooling zone, as the tooling sleeve moves through the heating zone and the cooling zone with the thermoplastic composite charge. The first angle is different from the second angle.

Abstract: A structural polymeric composite includes a stiffening layer. The composite is made in a continuous extrusion process in which the stiffening layer is pulled through a cross-head die as a polymer is extruded over it. The layer includes a film or textile carrier, a filler of carbon fibers, fiberglass, organic fibers or minerals forming a mat. A binder may be dispersed over the mat and a second carrier applied. The mat is subjected to heat and pressure to soften the carriers and binder so they penetrate into the interstices of the filler and binds mechanically with them and the carriers and binder bind chemically with each other to form the stiffening layer. A polymer is then extruded over the stiffening layer, which may be used flat, provided with holes or punches for composite action with the polymer, formed into a profile, or segmented to provide spaced-apart stiffening layers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the production of a composite component from at least one hollow profile base element and at least one supporting element positioned in the interior of the at least one hollow profile base element.

Abstract: A cartridge for a medium to be dispensed includes a head part having a dispensing outlet and a film forming a cartridge wall, with the film surrounding a cartridge chamber for the medium to be dispensed, extending at least partially (along an axial extension) in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge and having a front end being connected to the head part. The film is preferably a multilayer film having at least two layers formed from different materials, and the front end of the film is sealingly and non-releasably embedded in the head part of the cartridge, so that an end face of the front end of the film is covered, in particular completely covered, by the head part.

Abstract: A co-injection nozzle is disclosed that includes a combining means configured to reduce shear heating and create a more even shear heating profile in core and skin material flow streams. The combining means is configured to reduce shear heating peaks and valleys in core and skin material flow streams as the streams flow between annular channels of the combining means during a mold filling process.

Abstract: In an injection molding system, a molded part transport apparatus and a worker share an area to perform cooperative work. When a molded part check mode is valid, conforming product identification inspection of a molded part is performed in an area where the worker works, and molded part sorting means sorts the molded part on the basis of a result of the inspection. As a result, the conforming product identification inspection of the molded part can be performed and the molded part can be sorted with the safety of the worker is maintained.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gate insert includes an injection gate body having front and rear opposite sides and an aperture extending through the injection gate body between an injection gate outlet on the front side and an opening on the rear side. The injection gate body is connectable to and disconnectable from a gate pad in a cavity plate from a front side of the gate pad and from a front side of the cavity plate. In another embodiment, a cavity flange includes a molding body defining at least a portion of a molding cavity shaped to mold a shell of a closure for a container. The molding body is connectable to and disconnectable from a gate insert in a cavity plate from a front side of the gate insert and from a front side of the cavity plate. Other apparatuses are disclosed.

Abstract: A mold includes a fixed mold, a fixture, a movable mold and an ejecting mechanism including a fixture thimble, a nozzle thimble, an auxiliary thimble, an elastic member and a top plate located in ejecting space and having a limit cavity. The nozzle thimble is extended to the molding cavity, and the auxiliary thimble is adjacent to the nozzle thimble. A first end of the fixture thimble is assembled in the limit cavity, and a second end of the fixture thimble is extended to the slider. The elastic member urges the top plate to slide towards a demolding direction. Due to the elastic member, the top plate obtains an elastic force to drive the nozzle thimble and the auxiliary thimble to retreat and separate from the long handle thereby providing a clearance for removing the fixture together with the product and avoiding scratching the product.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a molding system (100) comprising control structure that includes a mold (120) that is configured to mold a molded article (180), a controller (170) with which to control the operation of the molding structure, and a vision system (174) with which to appreciate a parameter of the molded article (180) for control of molding system (100).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cap comprises molding the cap in a cavity of a mold, the cavity formed by a plurality of members. The cap is released from the mold, including: a stage wherein there is a relative axial shift of a first member forming a portion of the mold cavity along an inner diameter surface of an upper sidewall and dosing tube relative to a second member forming a portion of the mold cavity along an underside of an upper web.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an adjustable end seal assembly. The extrusion die includes a die body, and the adjustable end seal assembly includes an end seal device and a wedge mechanism. The adjustable end seal assembly has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When in the engaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is held forcibly against the die body. When in the disengaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is either spaced apart from the die body or held against the die body with less force than when in the engaged configuration. Methods of operating such an extrusion die are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overturning device (10) for overturning a molten material (200) in a melt channel (110) comprising a melt inlet (20) and a melt outlet (30), wherein between the melt inlet (20) and the melt outlet (30) at least a melt guidance means (40) is assembled for a rearrangement of molten material (200) from the centre (22) of the melt inlet (20) at the edge (34) of the melt outlet (30) and for a rearrangement of molten material (200) from the edge (24) of the melt inlet (20) in the centre (32) of the melt outlet (30).

Abstract: A device produces plastic pipes by extrusion, involving an extruder, a pipe head connecting to the extruder in production direction, having a base material, mandrel, and sheath. A melt channel, formed between the mandrel and sheath in production direction, promotes flow at least at the mandrel and sheath end, the mandrel and sheath being adjustable forwards and backwards relative to one another, and the outer mandrel surface and/or the inner sheath surface at least partially having a material with greater sliding capacity than the base material. Mandrel diameter at the end conically widens or narrows, and/or the mandrel end is curved so the diameter widens, narrows, or remains constant, and the inner sheath diameter at the end conically widens, narrows, or remains constant, and/or the sheath end is curved so the diameter widens or narrows, or two further surface sections, parallel and cylindrical, extend at the mandrel and sheath end.

Abstract: An extrusion device and method for filling a groove with a filling compound. The extrusion device includes an extrusion head which is designed or configured to spring in and out in an extrusion direction of the extrusion device in a manner that is spring-resilient in the extrusion direction.

Abstract: A continuous screen changer, including: an external shell having an internal cavity, and an internal drum. The external shell is provided with a feed port, a screen changing port, and a discharge port. The internal drum is provided with at least four filter screen mounting grooves and material flow passages correspondingly communicating with the filter screen mounting grooves. A sealing wall hermetically connected with the internal cavity is formed between each two adjacent filter screen mounting grooves.

Abstract: A mold includes a link member including a protruding grip forming part configured to form a grip part to a portion of a container by pressurizing a portion of a preform that is expanded during blow molding; and a piston member configured to move forward toward a cavity to thus press and rotate the link member. The grip forming part has: a pressurizing surface configured to pressurize the portion of the preform; and a contact surface configured to come into contact with the piston member, wherein the piston member has a pressing surface that comes into contact with the contact surface and presses the grip forming part toward an inside of the cavity when moving the pressurizing surface, and wherein the pressurizing surface is arranged at an opposite side of the contact surface of the grip forming part with respect to a moving direction of the piston member.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing plastic bottles comprising: a blow moulding machine including a blow moulding carousel being configured to transform a succession of plastic preforms into respective bottles; a filling machine including: a filling carousel, and a plurality of handling units; a labeling unit configured to feed a succession of labels to be attached to the respective bottles; and a conveying system configured to transfer the bottles within the apparatus. The labeling unit is arranged peripherally to the filling carousel and is configured to feed the labels to the handling units carrying the respective bottles while the handling units are advanced by the filling carousel. The conveying system includes a plurality of consecutive transport star wheels transferring the bottles in a continuous stream from the blow moulding carousel to the filling carousel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport system for transporting preforms in a device for the blow-molding production of finished containers, wherein the transport system comprises a transport chain, the chain elements of which have a support element for transporting the preforms, wherein the support element comprises a shaft part and a head part, and the head part has a head end region that can be introduced into the opening section of the preform, characterized in that the head part is retained on the shaft part and can be detached from the shaft part via actuation of a first actuation element, wherein the first actuation element is arranged in the shaft part end region facing away from the head part. The invention also relates to a device for the blow-molding production of finished containers from preforms, a use, as well as a method for exchanging at least one head part, each making use of the transport system according to the invention.

Abstract: Described are methods for manufacturing an outer layer for a panel of a ball, in particular of a football, an outer layer manufactured with such a method as well as a panel and a ball comprising such an outer layer. The method includes shaping a sheet of material in a mold, wherein the mold is formed in such a way that during shaping, the sheet of material assumes a three-dimensional shape of the outer layer of the panel. Moreover, the method includes creating first textures in at least a first partial region on a first side of the sheet of material and creating second textures in at least a second partial region of the sheet of material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wrapped object, having a first segment and a second segment connected to each other by a curved transition segment having a common tangent with the first segment and a common tangent with the second segment, respectively. The method includes providing a mandrel with a surface structure to define at least part of the shape of the first segment, of the shape of the second segment and of the shape of the transition segment in between, and wrapping, one or more elongate elements over the mandrel and bonding the elongate element(s) to itself and/or each other so as to provide the first segment, the second segment and the transition segment as a continuous structure. The mandrel is provided with a fortification to support the element(s) forming the transition segment against inward-directed forces while wrapping and/or bonding the element(s) to form the transition segment.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing blown film web on a blown film line, film is heated above the takeoff device and then treated mechanically. This allows the film to be brought from initial heat to an easy-to-process temperature level with little energy. A horizontally oriented treatment roll path is provided between the takeoff and a reversing device is arranged above the takeoff. In both aspects, controlling is performed to achieve a uniform film gauge after stretching.

Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate has built-in opening/reclose and tamper-evidence features by forming the laminate from an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation to an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting a flap or the like out of the plane of the laminate. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to re-adhere the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate. The outer score line includes at least one tear portion that is torn through upon initial opening, thus indicating the package has been at least partially opened.

Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate has built-in opening/reclose and tamper-evidence features by forming the laminate from an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation to an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting a flap or the like out of the plane of the laminate. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to re-adhere the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate. The outer score line includes at least one tab positioned within a heat seal region of the laminate.

Abstract: A pipe joint coating for welded ends of pipes forming a pipeline. A last and third layer of a 3LPP coating system covering at least a circumferential weld area of the pipe joint is a heated sheet applied around the pipe with a machine including a mounting frame and a transport carriage rotatably movable on the mounting frame to move circumferentially about the pipe joint, and a roller applying an adjusted pressure to the sheet against the pipe and adapting to eccentricity or ovality of the pipe. The sheet is pressed below the pipe away from its overlapping ends, a first part of the sheet is then applied when the roller is rolled in a first direction, and a second part of the sheet is applied by the roller rolled back in the reverse direction around the pipe. The sheet is dimensioned to obtain an overlapped area between its extremities.

Abstract: A 3D printer is provided that includes a print head having an extruder (stepper) motor positioned to feed a filament into a heater, a X and Y print head positioning system configured to move the print head relative to a print surface, and a stepper driver operable to control the operation of the extruder motor. In one aspect, the 3D printer further includes a sensor module having a feed rate sensor positioned to detect a feed rate of the filament, and a control system programmed to: receive signals from the sensor module that are indicative of the feed rate of the filament, and control the operation of the stepper driver based on the signals from the sensor module. In a further aspect, the X and Y positioning system includes X and Y positioning motors and X and Y encoders positioned to sense the rotation of said positioning motors.

Abstract: A 3D slicing and printing method using strengthened auxiliary wall is provided. The method is to control a 3D printer (3) to retrieve multiple layers of object print data corresponding to a 3D object (90), and multiple layers of wall print data and raft print data, print multiple layers of raft slice physical models (400,60) on a print platform (307) layer by layer according to the raft print data, print multiple layers of wall slice physical models (420-421,80-81) on the printed raft slice physical models (400,60) layer by layer according to the wall print data, and print multiple layers of 3D slice physical models (50-53,70-71) layer by layer according to the object print data during printing the raft slice physical models (400,60) and the wall slice physical models (420-421,80-81). It can effectively prevent the auxiliary wall (42,8) from collapsing and failure of printing a whole 3D physical model (5,7) via making a raft structure (40,6) be arranged under the auxiliary wall (42,8).

Abstract: A composite body includes a bound mixture and a resin. The bound mixture includes a binder and a plurality of particles. The resin fully infiltrates the bound mixture such that the resin fully infiltrates an entire thickness of the composite body. The composite body is formed by combining a plurality of particles with a binder to form a bound mixture and infiltrating the bound mixture with a resin to a depth such that substantially an entire thickness of the composite body contains the resin.

Abstract: An airborne particle detector comprises a light source to emit a light beam through a target space adjacent to a heat source of a 3D printer, a detector to detect an amount of light of the light beam having passed through the target space, and a detection engine in communication with the light source and the detector to detect airborne particles in the target space using an amount of light detected by the detector.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems comprising an additive manufacturing device and an associated terahertz inspection device for inspecting additively deposited layers in real time during or immediately following material deposition and parts made and inspected by the apparatuses and systems and their associated methods are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping method utilizing a powder layer forming step, and a sintering step with a laser beam or electron beam, the method including the steps of a) measuring a light intensity of sparks and photographing the sparks generated with fly-off of powder caused by irradiation of the beam over the entire periphery of the sintering region, b) commanding to continue sintering within the next time unit or the next powder layer forming step, when it is detected that the region width and light intensity are within the standard ranges for a given time unit, and c) commanding to cancel sintering in the next time unit or the next powder layer forming step when a sintering defect has occurred, when it is detected that a condition has occurred in which the region width and light intensity deviate from the standard ranges for a given time unit.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional body. This method includes placing around an in-process three-dimensional body a support configured to hold up the in-process three-dimensional body and producing the three-dimensional body while holding up the in-process three-dimensional body with the support. This method is characterized in that the support is made from a support material including multiple materials with different melting points, and that the support is placed in such a manner that a first material, the material with the lowest melting point, flows with the others remaining solid.

Abstract: A plastic product having magnetic properties and a method for making the same is provided. The method comprises creating a mixture of a nylon and a metal, melting the mixture to create a melted mixture of the metal suspended in the nylon, injecting the melted mixture into a mold to harden the melted mixture and shape the melted mixture into the product's shape, applying an electrical current to the mold while the mixture is in a viscous state to align the poles of the metal suspended in the nylon in the mixture in a single direction before the mixture has hardened, and applying a magnetic field to the hardened mixture to provide the product with magnetic properties.

Abstract: A method includes compressing a non-dielectric, elastically-deformable component, a wire mesh component, and a dielectric, contoured object between first and second forming tools. Once the components are compressed, radio frequency energy is supplied to the first forming tool, thereby causing a radio frequency electromagnetic field to be generated between the first forming tool and the wire mesh component that results in a contoured weld of the contoured object. A tooling assembly is configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a composite part, in particular a flat composite part, having a foam core that has a first and second cover layer which are bonded to the foam core on a first surface and a second surface, respectively. The method has the following steps: (a) heating the cover layers and the foam core (b) positioning the cover layers on the surfaces of the foam core, (c) positioning the foam core and the cover layers in a press or a mold which forms the completed composite part, (d) reshaping the foam core and the cover layers in the press or in the mold, wherein the cover layers can be positioned on the surfaces of the foam core, (e) cooling and bonding the cover layers and the foam core in the press or in the mold, and (f) removing the composite part from the press or from the mold.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a composite component. The apparatus includes a mold onto which the composite component is formed. The mold is disposed within a grid defined by a first axis and a second axis. The apparatus further includes a first frame assembly disposed above the mold and a plurality of machine heads coupled to the first frame assembly within the grid in an adjacent arrangement along the first axis. At least one of the mold or the plurality of machine heads is moveable along the first axis, the second axis, or both. At least one of the machine heads of the plurality of machine heads is moveable independently of one another along a third axis. A second frame assembly is moveable above the mold along the first axis, the second axis, or both. The second frame assembly includes a holding device. The holding device affixes to and releases from an outer skin to place and displace the outer skin at the mold.

Abstract: A clamping device is used for joining panels or boards with highly cosmetic appearance at the visible joined surface. The clamping device can include mechanisms to support and move one panel relative to another panel in two directions perpendicular to the beveled edges of the panels. The clamping device can include a rotational mechanism to rotate one panel around a direction parallel to the beveled edge.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system create a three-dimensional (3D) model of a personalized object that represents of a real-world physical product. The 3D model contains one or more symbol parts, where each of the symbol parts is a computer representation of a symbol and a 3D font determines the shape of each of the symbol parts. A user interface is provided to enable a user to specify the symbol parts to personalize the real-world physical product. A transformation operation is performed, which transforms the 3D model in any one of the six degrees of freedom and enables a user to visualize in three dimensions on a computer screen a representation of the physical product prior to purchase.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for filament winding. The method includes bonding a veil material to the unidirectional fabric to veil-stabilize the unidirectional fabric. The method also includes slitting the veil-stabilized unidirectional fabric to separate a veil-stabilized fabric portion. The method also includes directing the veil-stabilized fabric portion to an application head. The method also includes winding the veil-stabilized fabric portion on a winding mandrel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a composite part. The method includes heating an unconsolidated mat including a first thermoplastic, a second thermoplastic, and reinforcing fibers to a first temperature. The first thermoplastic includes a first melting temperature and the second thermoplastic includes a second melting temperature greater than the first melting temperature. The first temperature is greater than the second melting temperature. The method includes compressing the unconsolidated mat, while heated, into a composite fiber-reinforced consolidated sheet. The method includes reheating the composite fiber-reinforced consolidated sheet to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is above the first melting temperature and below the second melting temperature and, while reheated, forming the composite fiber-reinforced consolidated sheet into a desired shape.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus, method, and/or system by which fiber, e.g., in the form of tow or tow, is used to create a shaped ply by facilitating drawing fiber from a supply along a fiber axis between two sets of pins; moving the pins across the fiber axis to form a fiber web in the desired ply shape; fixing the fiber web to form the shaped ply; and releasing the shaped ply. By enabling formation of shaped plies (including plies with doubly curved surfaces and simultaneous sequences of strategically shaped plies) directly from a single piece of fiber tow, various embodiments discussed herein enable substantial reductions in labor and materials costs that are conventionally associated with construction of composite preforms and accompanying composite products.