Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for embossing a plastic sheet and a corresponding tool (1). The plastic sheet is pressed between first and second tool halves (3, 5) while being heated such that a pattern is imprinted on first and second faces (19, 21) of the plastic sheet. Reference marks (31, 33) are imprinted on both faces of the plastic sheet and the embossed plastic sheet is evaluated optically to determine error data based on the relative position of the first and second reference marks. This allows to adjust the embossing tool based on the error data for subsequent embossing operations.

Abstract: Machines are provided for removing masking from regions of glazing panes. Also provided are methods of removing masking from regions of glazing panes. The machines can include a head assembly and a processing station. The head assembly can have various combinations and/or configurations of features, including one or more of a plurality of cutters, a plurality of belts, and at least one pressurized gas nozzle.

Abstract: A method of 3D printing to achieve a desired surface quality on at least one surface of a 3D printed object comprising selecting a base surface having the desired surface quality; and printing the 3D printed object on the base surface, so that the desired surface quality is imparted to one surface of the 3D printed object during printing. The surface quality may be glassiness, roughness, smoothness and texture in general. Objects may thus be manufactured in which electronic components are integrated in or under a glass-like surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molding material excellent in dimensional stability and operation safety during surface treatment after molding. The molding material according to the present invention is for use in molding by a hot melt lamination method and contains an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer.

Abstract: A system comprising: a substrate; a fixture for receiving the substrate; and four fasteners. The substrate has two axes, and a build surface. The substrate comprises four slots through the substrate from the build surface to an opposite surface. Lengths of first and second slots are aligned along a first axis. The first and second slots are at opposite sides of the build surface to each other. Lengths of the third and fourth slots are aligned along the second axis. The third and fourth slots are at opposite sides of the build surface to each other. The fasteners fit through respective slots. The lengths of the slots are greater than diameters of portions of the fasteners that are positioned through the slots.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an article by fused filament fabrication.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes an irradiation device configured to irradiate an object with light; an imaging device configured to capture an image of the object irradiated with the light and generate captured image data; and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to measure the object based on the captured image data generated by the imaging device; and adjust, with a moving mechanism, relative positions among the object, the irradiation device, and the imaging device in response to a determination that the captured image data includes a region satisfying a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selective additive manufacturing comprises: a support (140) suitable for supporting at least one layer (150) of additive manufacturing powder, a laser source (110) suitable for emitting a laser beam (111), a scanning device (130) suitable for directing the laser beam onto the powder layer so as to scan at least a portion of the powder layer, and a device (120) for modulating the scanning trajectory, arranged upstream of the scanning device, the modulating device comprising a modulating mirror (121) suitable for reflecting the laser beam emitted by the laser source and for directing it towards the scanning device, the angle of incidence of the laser beam emitted by the laser source on the modulating mirror being between 20 and 45°.

Abstract: Selective laser solidification apparatus is described that includes a powder bed onto which a powder layer can be deposited and a gas flow unit for passing a flow of gas over the powder bed along a predefined gas flow direction. A laser scanning unit is provided for scanning a laser beam over the powder layer to selectively solidify at least part of the powder layer to form a required pattern. The required pattern is formed from a plurality of stripes or stripe segments that are formed by advancing the laser beam along the stripe or stripe segment in a stripe formation direction. The stripe formation direction is arranged so that it always at least partially opposes the predefined gas flow direction. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: Modular additive manufacturing systems, related methods for simultaneously building three-dimensional parts in successively bonded layers, and related computer readable storage medium. A plurality of build assemblies is laid out along at least one direction of a manufacturing path defining a loop, and at least one build assembly is functioning to build a three-dimensional part from build material according to build instructions. A guidable module is guided via a guiding assembly along the manufacturing path to repeatedly perform at least one step necessary to build the three-dimensional part on each functioning build assembly.

Abstract: A material ejection system, a print head, a 3D printer, and a method for material ejection is provided. The material ejection system comprises: a housing; a plate provided in the housing and dividing the housing in an upper space and a lower space, wherein the lower space is configured to hold a material for ejection; a controller unit; one or more material ejection units each comprising: a membrane formed by two essentially parallel slits in the plate, a first electrode provided above the membrane in the upper space, a piezoelectric element provided on the first electrode, a second electrode provided on the piezoelectric element, wherein the first and second electrodes are each electrically connected to the controller unit for providing a voltage to the piezoelectric element, and an extension member provided underneath the membrane extending into the lower space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7).

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer including a floating solution for reducing resin usage may include a main frame, a water tank disposed inside the main frame, a build platform slidable in a vertical direction along the water tank, an optical assembly disposed at an upper portion of the main frame and irradiating a laser beam to the build platform, resin contained inside the water tank, and the floating solution contained inside the water tank, wherein the floating solution is not mixed with the resin, has a higher density than the resin, and supports the resin.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a high power laser to form a high fluence laser beam at a first wavelength. A 2D patternable light valve having a phase change material responsive to a write beam at a second wavelength, and non-responsive at the first wavelength is used to pattern the high fluence laser beam.

Abstract: An irradiation device for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include a beam generation device configured to generate an energy beam, an optical modulator including a micromirror array disposed downstream from the beam generation device, and a focusing lens assembly disposed downstream from the optical modulator. The micromirror array may include a plurality of micromirror elements configured to reflect a corresponding plurality of beam segment of the energy beam along a beam path incident upon the focusing lens assembly. The focusing lens assembly may include one or more lenses configured to focus the plurality of beam segments such that for respective ones of a plurality of modulation groups including a subset of micromirror elements, a corresponding subset of beam segments are focused to at least partially overlap with one another at a combination zone corresponding to the respective modulation group.

Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing an object. The print head may have a housing, and a wetting module configured to wet a reinforcement with a liquid matrix. The print head may also include a matrix supply configured to hold a quantity of the liquid matrix and supply the liquid matrix to the wetting module.

Abstract: The invention is a method and device for producing three-dimensional objects, having a gradient of properties and multi-material objects, from powders. A method involves the selection of powders of various materials according to diameter, the successive application of layers of powder of a given thickness during the vertical displacement of a piston of a device build chamber with an object to be sintered, and the programmed selective sintering/melting of a given area in the plane of each layer. After sintering, piston is raised, unsintered powder is removed from a layer. The piston is then returned, and a layer of powder having a different diameter and being of a dissimilar material is applied and selectively sintered. When the object-sintering process is finished, the unsintered powder is removed from the build chamber, and the powders are separated according to diameter. The separated powders are returned to feed containers of device for re-use.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to construct a structure using three dimensional printing of extrudable building material to a wall surface of a structure. According to one embodiment, a printing assembly is moveably disposed above the surface, and extrudable building material is applied from a nozzle onto the surface. One or more profilometers measure at periodic intervals along a geometric cross-section of a bead of extrudable building material. One or more controllers compare the measured cross-section to a predetermined, target cross section and one or more controllers periodically change, for example, the rate of application and/or the viscosity of the extrudable building material applied along the longitudinal axis. The nozzle direction can change, and the profilometers can be rotated about the nozzle along different longitudinal axes, or directions, depending on the wall locations being formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing an artificial blood vessel and a method for manufacturing an artificial blood vessel using the same, wherein a cylindrical support having a hollow 3D porous structure including a thermoplastic polymer is manufactured and vertically fixed, and a hydrogel divided into at least two sections is discharged into the support, thereby maintaining the structure and shape constantly even after printing and manufacturing an artificial blood vessel having a hollow multilayered structure.

Abstract: A coated tubular construct for biological and industrial applications includes a plurality of channels, where each channel is radially surrounded by a wall comprising a first polymer, and a conformal coating comprising a second polymer is disposed on an outer and/or an inner surface of each wall. A method of producing a tubular construct includes 3D printing a template structure comprising a sacrificial material and a photoinitiator, and immersing the template structure in a first prepolymer solution comprising a first prepolymer and a co-initiator. During the immersion, the template structure is exposed to light, and the first prepolymer undergoes radical polymerization to conformally coat the template structure with the first polymer, forming a coated template. The sacrificial material is removed from the coated template, and a tubular construct comprising the first polymer is formed.

Abstract: A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on one of the objects in an opening provided on the other one of the objects. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. Before such liquefaction and interpenetration, an interference fit is established in which such opposite surfaces are pressed against each other, and, for the anchoring, mechanical vibration energy and possibly a shearing force are applied, wherein the shearing force puts a shear stress on the interference fit.

Abstract: A method for resistance welding of two fiber-composite components to give a fiber-composite structure includes arranging conductive fibers within a jointing region of the two fiber-composite components, where each conductive fiber includes a carbon fiber with an electrically insulating coating. An electric current is passed through the conductive fibers to heat the jointing region to a welding temperature and melt the fiber-composite components in the jointing region. The jointing region is hardened in a manner that bonds the two fiber-composite components by way of the jointing region to give the fiber-composite structure.

Abstract: A first plastic part is fixtured in a first fixture, and a second plastic part is fixtured in a second fixture for welding to each other. The first plastic part can be independently moved relative to the second plastic part in each of three directions: 1) linearly in a direction parallel with a z-axis, 2) linearly in a direction parallel with an x-axis, and 3) circularly in a circular arc about an axis parallel with a y-axis.

Abstract: This document describes slab products, and systems and methods of forming slab products. Some example methods include placing a first slab section having a first surface within an enclosure, arranging a second surface of a second slab section adjacent the first surface within the enclosure, such that a seam is defined between the first surface and the second surface, sealing the enclosure, providing a resin at an inlet of the enclosure, and flowing the resin through the seam.

Abstract: A fibrous preform of a turbomachine component has a three-dimensional weave formed by a plurality of woven strands, wherein, in a shear plane of the component, all or part of the strands present in this plane have fibers forming an angle between 10° and 50° with their centerline.

Abstract: A rotating manifold includes an axle, a hub rotatable relative to the axle about an axis of rotation, and a compressed air line in fluid communication housed in the axle. The rotating manifold further includes a vacuum line in fluid communication with the hub. The rotating manifold further includes a plurality of conduits connected to the hub. Each conduit of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the vacuum line and houses a compressed air line arm in fluid communication with the compressed air line.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to composites. One composite may include a resin and oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers. The oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers may be provided as a nonwoven fabric. An additional composite may include a resin and material scraps respectively including carbon fibers. The material scraps may be positioned to at least partially overlap one another and define a substantially continuous layer. The material scraps may be provided as a fabric and/or a plurality of loose fibers.

Abstract: Equipment for forming a tubular rod from a bundle of fibrous material comprising a mandrel constructed to form a space within the bundle of fibres; the mandrel includes a passage for delivering a treatment fluid to facilitate the formation of the fibres into a tubular structure as the fibre bundle as the bundle passes over the mandrel.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite structure is presented. A charge is placed on a charge support surface of a charge forming table in a planar orientation, the charge support surface formed by a plurality of surfaces of a plurality of charge forming fingers. A number of charge forming fingers of the plurality of charge forming fingers is actuated to form a curvature into the charge. The charge having the curvature is removed from the charge forming table. The charge having the curvature is placed onto a tool having a matching surface curvature.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compacting objects onto tools. One embodiment is a method for compacting an object onto a rigid tool. The method includes placing an object onto a surface of a rigid tool, disposing an end effector over the object, spreading linkages of the end effector, causing a scroll of material between the linkages to be disposed atop the object while surrounding the object, and applying a negative pressure to the scroll that offsets air leaks between the scroll and the object, thereby forming a suction hold that compacts the object onto the rigid tool.

Abstract: A curing mold for manufacturing a turbomachine part made of composite material from a preform produced by draping pre-impregnated materials includes: a first body and a second body designed to be attached to each other and jointly defining a fixed air gap for receiving the preform and itself including a molding part of complementary shape with the part to be manufactured and intended to receive a portion to be molded of the preform, and at least one additional part located in a peripheral space of the air gap and intended to receive an additional portion forming an edge of the preform; a heating member designed to heat the preform in the air gap to a first temperature; at least one inflatable bladder housed in the first or second body, facing an additional part of the air gap; a member for injecting a pressurized fluid inside the bladder(s).

Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing a pipe joint including a circular tube-shaped housing and an elastically deformable circular tube-shaped seal member provided at an inner peripheral side of the housing. The pipe joint manufacturing method includes a process of placing the seal member inside a mold in a state in which the seal member is fitted to an outer periphery of a retaining pin, and a process of causing a molten resin to flow into the mold so as to mold the housing in a state in which the seal member is cooled through the retaining pin.

Abstract: An example system for molding a photocurable material into a planar object includes a first mold structure having a first mold surface, a second mold structure having a second mold surface, and one or more protrusions disposed along at least one of the first mold surface or the second mold surface. During operation, the system is configured to position the first and second mold structures such that the first and second mold surfaces face each other with the one or more protrusions contacting the opposite mold surface, and a volume having a total thickness variation (TTV) of 500 nm or less is defined between the first and second mold surfaces. The system is further configured to receive the photocurable material in the volume, and direct radiation at the one or more wavelengths into the volume.

Abstract: A tire molding die includes sectors separated from one another in a tire circumferential direction, and sipe blades disposed on tread molding surfaces of the sectors, the sipe blades are disposed repeatedly in the tire circumferential direction in a repeating pattern corresponding to a predetermined arrangement pattern, and a near sipe blade that is included in sipe blades disposed in one of the sectors and that is a sipe blade closest to a division position between the sectors is more rigid than an original shape blade corresponding to the sipe blade provided in the repeating pattern differing from the repeating pattern including the near sipe blade at a position identical to a position of the near sipe blade in the repeating pattern including the near sipe blade.

Abstract: A 3D printed structure of an elastic material having a first wall and a second wall may be provided. In one implementation, the 3D printed structure may include a first layer having a first portion of a first wall part and a first portion of a second wall part. The first portion of the first wall part may include a primary structural layer and the first portion of the second wall part may include a first flexible layer. The 3D printed structure may also include a second layer having a second portion of the first wall part and a second portion of the second wall part. The second portion of the first wall part may include a second flexible layer. The primary structural layer and the first flexible layer may have a first rigidity and a second rigidity, respectively, the first rigidity being greater than the second rigidity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piston-cylinder assembly of a hydraulic press, which includes a basic cylinder and a first and second piston. A ring cylinder is formed above the basic cylinder as a continuation of the cylinder structure. The first piston is located inside the basic cylinder in the bottom part of the basic cylinder and the second piston is located above the first piston in the top part of the cylinder structure. The piston-cylinder assembly has a first hydraulic fluid space below the first piston and a second hydraulic fluid space below the second piston and the piston-cylinder assembly includes a unified hydraulic fluid channel in flow connection to the first hydraulic fluid space in order to provide a pressure effect in the first piston and to the second hydraulic fluid space in order to provide a pressure effect in the second piston.

Abstract: A bag making apparatus includes a welding device for welding a sheet panel and a strip member in a zone where the sheet panel is intermittently fed by a feed device and a cut device disposed downstream of the welding device to cross-cut the sheet panel and the strip member every intermitted feed cycle. The welding device include a pressure unit for pressurizing the sheet panel and the strip member superposed on each other and a laser unit for irradiating the sheet panel or the strip member with a laser beam at an irradiation position upstream of a pressure position of the pressure unit to melt the sheet panel or the strip member. The pressure unit and the laser unit are configured to be movable together upstream and downstream relative to the sheet panel while maintaining a relative positional relationship between the pressure position and the irradiation position.

Abstract: An article includes a completed fabric structure that has multiple plies of fiber reinforced fabric. A first portion of the fabric structure has a three-directional fiber reinforced configuration and, exclusive of the first portion, a second portion of the fabric structure having a two-directional fiber reinforced configuration. In the three-directional fiber reinforced configuration there are multiple plies that are bound together via a matrix and a plurality of fibers normal through the multiple plies. In the two-directional fiber reinforced configuration the multiple plies are bound to one another via the matrix and not fibers normal through the multiple plies.

Abstract: A method of creating a clad metal part is provided. The method includes explosion bonding a plate comprised of a base layer and an interlayer. The explosion bonded plate is then cut into bars which are roll bonded with a clad layer. Ultimately a part is fabricated from the roll bonded bar. The solution enables parts to have material combinations and resulting physical properties more optimal for an application than a single bonding process.

Abstract: A glass article including an ultra-thin glass layer and an optically transparent polymeric hard-coat layer having a pencil hardness of 8H or more bonded to the ultra-thin glass layer. The optically transparent polymer hard-coat layer may include an organic polymer material or an aliphatic or aromatic hexafunctional urethane acrylate. In some embodiments, the glass article may have an impact resistance defined by the capability of the glass article to avoid failure at a pen drop height that is 2 times or more than that of a control pen drop height of the ultra-thin glass layer without the optically transparent polymeric hard-coat layer, where the pen drop height and the control pen drop height are measured according to the Pen Drop Test. In some embodiments, the glass article may survive a bend radius of 5 mm or less.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for preparing an electrochromic device. The method includes placing an edge protection material on a first and second substrates, placing a first and second interlayers respectively within the edge protection material on the first and second substrates, wherein the edge protection material surrounds edges of the first and second interlayers, and interposing an electrochromic film between the first and second interlayers. The edge protection material prevents chemicals in the first and second interlayers from entering into the electrochromic film.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a laminated glazing having variable light transmission comprising two glass sheets, an external glass sheet and an internal glass sheet, that are joined by at least one thermoplastic interlayer sheet, an assembly of a functional film, which is incorporated into the laminate between the two glass sheets. According to the invention, the at least one thermoplastic interlayer sheet has a roughness with a Rz comprised between 50 and 400 ?m and a Ra comprised between 15 and 90 ?m and preferably with a Rz comprised between 100 and 400 ?m and a Ra comprised between 30 and 90 ?m.

Abstract: Provided herein are multilayer polymeric interlayers comprising ionomers and acoustic damping compositions, and glass laminates made from them, which provide an improved combination of hurricane resistance, acoustic damping properties and, optionally, solar barrier performance.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glass resin laminated body includes a step of sticking a glass film on a resin film via an adhesive layer while holding the glass film and the resin film between a first roller that presses against the resin film and a second roller that is disposed opposite to the first roller and that presses against the glass film. A ratio of an elastic modulus P1 of a surface layer of the first roller to an elastic modulus P2 of the resin film P1/P2 satisfies a relation of 3×10?3?P1/P2?1.0.

Abstract: A foam flooring includes a stone-plastic base material structure, which sequentially comprises, from top to bottom, a first stable layer, a foaming layer and a second stable layer. The first stable layer and the second stable layer are both sheets with a PVC resin and filler powder as main components, with 25-40 parts by mass of the PVC resin and 55-75 parts by mass of the filler powder; and the density of the SPC foam flooring is 1.4-1.6 g/cm3. The foaming layer is arranged between the two stable layers, such that the overall density of the flooring is significantly reduced and reaches 1.4-1.6 g/m3; since the foaming layer is arranged inside, the surface strength of the overall flooring is not influenced.

Abstract: A food packaging film comprising a polymer-based core layer having a food-facing side and an exterior-facing side, a food-facing skin layer on the food-facing side of the core layer, and an exterior skin layer on the exterior-facing side of the core layer, wherein the core layer and the food-facing skin layer each contains a natural or synthetic antioxidant, and the film is free of BHA and BHT.

Abstract: A component with an exterior decorative surface and with signaling or operating elements arranged in the surface or near the surface, in particular an interior trim component of a vehicle, wherein the component comprises a component carrier as supporting structure or substructure and a multilayered film arranged on the exterior thereof, wherein the film comprises a layer composite composed of at least one outer cover layer which is at least partly light-transmissive and is optionally provided with a coating, and at least one further layer which is at least partly light-transmissive and is arranged on the rear side of the cover layer, wherein the layers forming the film consist of a flexible, elastomeric and reversibly deformable polymer, and the component carrier comprises devices which act on the film for the at least regional deformation of the film, i.e. deformation that concerns partial regions of the surface, and also devices for the at least regional transillumination of the film.

Abstract: A decorative functional component with a transparent partial surface includes a substrate and a flat cover body. The substrate is of a first plastic material and has a recess. The cover body is of a transparent second plastic material and covers the recess of the substrate. The substrate and the cover body are connected together by a loose form-fit connection. The substrate and the cover body and are jointly coated with a low viscosity curing transparent plastic flooded thereon.

Abstract: A gas barrier laminate (including a substrate layer containing a polyolefin, a metal oxide layer, and a gas barrier cover layer in this order. The gas barrier cover layer contains a silicon alkoxide or a hydrolysate thereof and a water-soluble polymer, and a content ratio a/b between a content of silicon atoms of the silicon alkoxide or a hydrolysate thereof (mass part a) and a content of the water-soluble polymer (mass part b) is 3/97 or more and 45/55 or less in mass ratio.

Abstract: A flexible underwater pipe for transporting hydrocarbons, including a plurality of layers, at least one of which includes a polyethylene having enhanced heat resistance, to its preparation method and to its use for transporting hydrocarbons.