Abstract: A method for producing a cellulose product from a multi-layer cellulose blank structure, wherein the method comprises the steps; forming the multi-layer cellulose blank structure from at least a first layer of dry-formed cellulose fibres and a second layer of a cellulose fibre web structure, through arranging the at least first layer and second layer in a superimposed relationship to each other and in the superimposed relationship arranging the at least first layer and second layer in contact with each other; arranging the multi-layer cellulose blank structure in a forming mould; heating the multi-layer cellulose blank structure to a forming temperature in the range of 100° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: An injection mold for producing a sprinkler head part and related injection molding methods are described. The sprinkler head part includes a first, second, third and fourth mold portions. The first and second mold portions include first and second shaping elements structured to cooperatively form a body including a substantially cylindrical portion and a substantially planar portion, and two frame arms extending from the substantially planar portion of the body. The third mold portion includes a shaping element structured to form an orifice in the body of the sprinkler head. The fourth mold portion includes a shaping element structured to form a cross member connecting the two frame arms. The injection methods include injecting a composite material in molten form into the mold to form the molded sprinkler head part. The composite material includes thermoplastic polymeric resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers dispersed in the resin.

Abstract: Provided is a stack molding machine including an upper mold having formed therein a first runner and a first gate serving as a path of a resin material, a first intermediate plate provided under and combined with the upper mold, and having formed therein a first molding connected to the first gate to mold at least a portion on a first substrate placed under the first intermediate plate, a dummy plate provided under and spaced a certain distance apart from the first intermediate plate, a second intermediate plate provided under the dummy plate, and having formed therein a second molding connected to a second gate to mold at least a portion under a second substrate placed under the dummy plate, and a lower mold having formed therein a second runner and the second gate serving as a path of the resin material, and combined with the second intermediate plate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wearable device comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) on which is mounted electronic components, the method includes providing a mould attaching the PCB to a cage, the cage comprising a cage body and at least one hole, inserting said PCB into the mould; arresting the PCB relative to the mould by inserting an insert tool into the mould and attaching the insert tool to said at least one hole, injecting a wet applied structural component into said mould and removing said mould.

Abstract: A molding mold for a composite body 1 for forming a composite body A that integrally molds a resin member R on one main surface of a metal panel P1, including at least a fixed mold 2 and a movable mold 3, and including, in a mold on the resin member side among the fixed mold 2 and the movable mold 3, a panel fixing mechanism 4 that fixes an edge portion of the metal panel P1 in a state in which the fixed mold 2 and the movable mold are open. The molding mold for a composite body 1 eliminates a movable body with respect to a molding space of the resin member R and overcomes the generation of burr in the resin member R, and forms an exposed metal portion B on the edge portion of the metal panel P1 on the resin member R side by the panel fixing mechanism 4.

Abstract: A method for creating optical articles includes moving first and second mold portions relative to one another. This disclosure includes injection molds for reducing cycle times and related methods. Some molds include first and second mold portions movable relative to one another from open to closed positions in which each recess of the first mold portion cooperates with a respective recess of the second mold portion to define a chamber. Each chambers includes a first cooling body coupled to the first mold portion, a second cooling body coupled to the second mold portion, and first and second inserts removably coupled, respectively, to the first and second cooling bodies. The inserts cooperate to define a mold cavity within the chamber configured to receive a thermoplastic material. Each of the cooling bodies has an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid cavity in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: The interior of a heating cylinder (2) is divided into a first stage (5) and a second stage (7) due to the shape of a screw (3). A first compression zone in which a resin is compressed is formed in the first stage (5). A starvation zone (7a) in which an inert gas is injected and a second compression zone in which the resin is compressed are formed in the second stage (7). A barrier flight (13) that is obtained by combining a main flight (14) and a sub-flight (15) having a greater lead angle than the main flight is provided to a section of the screw (3), said section corresponding to the first compression zone. A multiple flight is provided to another section of the screw (3), said section corresponding to the second stage (7).

Abstract: Provided is an injection molding machine management system that includes an injection molding machine and manages one or a plurality of injection molding units that produce a molded article. The injection molding machine management system includes a display unit configured to display a display screen on which operation information on an operation status of the injection molding unit and at least one of container shortage information on a shortage of a container that accommodates the molded article and material shortage information on a shortage of a material for molding the molded article are displayed on an injection molding unit basis. The container shortage information is displayed on the display screen in association with the operation information when the container is insufficient in the injection molding unit, and the material shortage information is displayed on the display screen in association with the operation information when the material is insufficient in the injection molding unit.

Abstract: Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure are directed to external sensor kits that may be included in new injection molds or retrofitted into existing injection molds in order to approximate conditions within a mold, such as pressure or the location of a melt flow front. Such kits are designed to amplify meaningful measurements obtained by the external sensor kit so that noise measurements do not prevent the approximation of conditions within a mold. In some embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, an external sensor kit includes a strain gauge sensor, a coupon, a support bracket, and a hammer. The strain gauge sensor is placed on a surface of the coupon and measures the strain in the coupon.

Abstract: There is provided an injection molding machine management system including an injection molding machine configured to mold a molded article with injection molding, a peripheral device configured to perform a post-process of the injection molding, and a control device communicably coupled to the injection molding machine and the peripheral device. The injection molding machine management system includes a generating section configured to generate a common identifier for each of predetermined production units and transmit the common identifier to the peripheral device. Molding data concerning the injection molding and post-process data concerning the post-process are correlated with the common identifier.

Abstract: The molding support device for an injection molding machine is provided with: a temperature control unit which controls the temperature of a material supply unit which supplies a resin material to the inside of a heating cylinder; a basic data input unit which can input resin type; a Controlled temperature data table in which the optimum control temperature by the temperature control unit is set for each resin type; a data processing unit having a temperature setting processing unit which sets the control temperature of the temperature control unit as the control temperature of the temperature control unit by reading the control temperature corresponding to resin type input from the Controlled temperature data table if the resin type is input from the basic data input unit when molding conditions are set, and a molding machine controller having an output processing function unit which displays the control temperature on a display.

Abstract: The problem of the present invention is to provide a novel polytetrafluoroethylene porous film having a small pore diameter, small film thickness, high porosity, and high strength, and a production method thereof. The present invention provides a polytetrafluoroethylene porous film, wherein a bubble point in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) according to JIS K3832 is not less than 400 kPa, and a tensile strength based on JIS K6251 is not less than 50 MPa.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a hydrogel tube, and related systems, employ extrusion of a cross-linkable hydrogel solution from an annular outer nozzle of a nozzle assembly to form a cross-linkable hydrogel tube. The cross-linkable hydrogel tube is cured to form a cross-linked hydrogel tube. A second hydrogel solution can be coextruded via the axial inner nozzle to form an inner hydrogel filament coaxially positioned within the cross-linkable hydrogel tube. The cross-linked hydrogel tube can be functionalized with collagen to enable cell adhesion, and cells can be cultured on the luminal surfaces of these tubes to yield tubular endothelial layers. A 3D printed coaxial nozzle can be used to fabricate biofunctional tubular conduits that can be utilized for engineering in vitro models of tubular biological structures.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible tube production apparatus capable of shortening the length of a resin layer in which the mixing ratio between two kinds of resins changes. The flexible tube production apparatus includes: two extruders extruding resins different from each other; two valves provided corresponding to the two extruders, respectively; a kneading mechanism kneading the resins supplied from the two extruders via the two valves; a die extruding the resins kneaded by the kneading mechanism; and a control device controlling the two valves to switch from a first state where one extruder and the kneading mechanism communicate with each other and communication between the other extruder and the kneading mechanism is cut off, to a second state where the other extruder and the kneading mechanism communicate with each other and communication between the one extruder and the kneading mechanism is cut off, when the flexible tube is extruded.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a resin molded article, capable of reducing deterioration of resin during melt extrusion. The method includes passing a resin fed from a hopper for resin through a molding machine provided with the hopper, an extruder, and a pressure control device in this order, to produce a resin molded article, the resin pressure between a tip of the extruder and an inlet port for resin of the pressure control device being 15.0 MPa or lower.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymer film includes melting a resin, extruding the melted resin through a die to produce a polymer film, shaping the polymer film, cooling the polymer film, capturing an image of a test pattern through the polymer film, calculating a modulation transfer function value from the image, and adjusting a process parameter of the melting, the extruding, the shaping, or the cooling based on the calculated modulation transfer function value.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus that forms a pattern of an imprint material on a substrate using a mold, the apparatus comprising: a supplier configured to supply the imprint material as a plurality of droplets onto the substrate; and a controller configured to control the supplier based on information indicating a target arrangement of the imprint material to be supplied as the plurality of droplets onto a predetermined region of the substrate, wherein the plurality of droplets in the target arrangement include a first droplet group including a plurality of first droplet arrays, a second droplet group including a plurality of second droplet arrays, and a third droplet array.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing flooring planks including a plastic base and an image plastic layer. The method includes a feeding step of feeding a layered raw material of a long decorative material to be rolled into oppositely rolling rollers; and a rolling step of hot rolling an embossing on the transparent plastic layer. A feeding tension of a printed plastic layer is adjusted according to a longitudinal deviation between the embossing and the pattern in the rolling step. The device includes a first feeding device, a second feeding device, the oppositely rolling rollers, a detecting device, and a tension controller disposed on the second feeding device. According to the long decorative material with the embossing in register with the pattern manufactured by the method, the embossing hot-rolled on the transparent plastic layer is in register with the pattern on the printed plastic layer.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing device and method for delivering a flowable material from a nozzle of a programmable computer numeric control (CNC) machine, and compressing the flowable material with a compression roller. In one embodiment, the device includes a nozzle configured to deposit a flowable material on a surface; and a roller configured to compress the deposited flowable material, wherein the roller comprises: a flat center portion having a constant diameter; and opposed end portions, wherein each end portion extends outwardly from the flat center portion, and wherein a radially outermost surface of each end portion is angled relative a rotational axis of the roller.

Abstract: Methods of additive manufacture using coreactive components are disclosed. Thermosetting compositions for additive manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of layerwise solid freeform fabrication is disclosed. The method comprises, for each of at least a few of the layers, dispensing and hardening at least a first modeling material and a second modeling material to form a core region and one or more envelope regions at least partially surrounding the core region. In some embodiments, the ratio between the elastic moduli of adjacent regions, when hardened, is from about 1 to about 20.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to additive manufacturing cartridges having an oxygen impermeable layer and to processes for producing cured polymeric products by additive manufacturing wherein the oxygen content during additive manufacturing is limited such as by use of the cartridge and/or by use of an inert gas.

Abstract: In embodiments, a method for additive manufacturing of a metal-incorporated resin object comprises illuminating a curable composition comprising prepolymers, a metal compound, a photoredox catalyst, a polymerization initiator, and optionally, a redox agent, with light having a first wavelength, wherein the metal of the metal compound is characterized by an initial oxidation state, and the illumination induces polymerization reactions between prepolymers to form a first cured region and induces redox reactions to change the initial oxidation state of the metal in the first cured region. The method further comprises inducing polymerization reactions between prepolymers to form a second cured region different from the first cured region without inducing redox reactions in the second cured region. Also provided are the curable compositions, the additive manufacturing systems for carrying out the methods, and the metal-incorporated resin objects.

Abstract: In the case of a method for producing a three-dimensional shaped object by means of layer-by-layer material application, a base surface for holding the three-dimensional shaped object, a liquid, flowable or powder-form first material that can solidify, a powder-form second material including thermoplastic powder particles, and a solvent are made available. From the first material, a negative mold layer having a cavity for a shaped-object layer to be produced is produced and solidified. The bottom of the cavity is charged to an electric potential having a first polarity, and the powder particles are charged to a potential having a second polarity. The powder particles are applied to a support surface that is positioned relative to the cavity in such a manner that the powder particles are transferred from the support surface into the cavity and form a shaped-object layer having a positive shape that matches the negative mold in this cavity. The shaped-object layer is sintered by means of the effect of heat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a three-dimensional body are disclosed herein. The apparatus is capable of producing an inorganic material-containing formed body having improved quality. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a stage, a supply unit configured to intermittently or continuously supply a composition to a stage, the composition containing an inorganic material, a heating unit including a thermal solidification heat source configured to perform at least thermal solidification on the composition, an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information on at least one among the geometric state, physical state, and chemical state of the thermally solidified composition, and a control unit configured to control the supply unit and the heating unit to repeat supply and thermal solidification of the composition, and to control the supply unit and the heating unit based on the acquired information.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the formation of three-dimensional objects. A method for forming a three-dimensional object may comprise alternately and sequentially applying a stream comprising a binding substance to an area of a layer of powder material in a powder bed, and generating at least one perimeter of the three-dimensional object in the area. The stream may be applied in accordance with a model design of the three-dimensional object. The at least one perimeter may generated in accordance with the model design.

Abstract: Provided is a print head, a system and method for pressure measurements and continuous control of a flowable material in a flow path. The system includes a pressure coupler comprising a body having a channel through the longitudinal center of the body, the channel spanning between a first opening and a second opening. The pressure coupler includes a membrane embedded in the body, wherein the membrane is contiguous with, and forms a region of, the channel. Material flowing through the channel imparts a force on the membrane, and the force is transferred from the membrane to a pressure sensor adjacent to the pressure coupler. The pressure coupler and sensor may be included in a print head, whereby the pressure of a flowable material is measured during dispensing from the print head. The pressure measurements are used for continuous feedback flow control of the flowable material through the flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus for formation of three-dimensional objects and having an infrared radiation deflector. The radiation deflector includes opposing first and second elongate side walls; at least one end support connecting the side walls; an upper opening and a lower opening arranged to pass lamp radiation to an exterior of the radiation deflector; and a mounting point provided at the/each end support for mounting an infrared lamp. The side walls include first and second elongate mirrors extending parallel to a lamp axis and along a lower internal portion of the respective side walls. The lamp axis extends along and between the first and second mirrors, each of which has a concave surface with respect to the lamp axis. The first mirror is an upward deflecting mirror and is arranged for redirecting at least a portion of direct lamp radiation through the upper opening.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making three-dimensional printed articles. In one example, a method of making a three-dimensional article can include printing a conductive element including a composite of a conductive material and a polymeric build material; printing an adjacent portion in contact with the conductive element, where the adjacent portion includes a nonconductive polymeric build material; and heating the conductive element by running an electric current through the conductive element, and thereby heating the adjacent portion to a temperature sufficient to change a physical property of the nonconductive polymeric build material of the adjacent portion.

Abstract: In a method for the production and/or treatment of a three-dimensional object with a printing material which is dispensed at a target position in the form of discrete three-dimensional printing material elements, a metering device is moved to at least one reservoir in which a supply of printing material is kept and, by means of the metering device, printing material is picked up from that at least one reservoir. The metering device is transported to a target position defined in all three spatial dimensions and, at that target position, a metered quantity of printing material is applied to a substrate or to a three-dimensional object arranged thereon or being constructed thereon, in order to create a printing material element. The creation of a printing material element is repeated until the three-dimensional object has been fully constructed and/or treated.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus and a method for extracting 3D printed parts from a build unit (114) in cleaning station comprising obtaining data representing the contents of a print job contained in the build unit (114) and generating a visualization of the contents of the build unit (114) based in part on the obtained data and in part on data related to operations performed by the cleaning station.

Abstract: In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a system for forming a three dimensional (3D) object from a volume of photo-responsive material contained within a material container. A plurality of optical projection subsystems are adapted to be arranged at least partially circumferentially around a material container containing the volume of photo-responsive material, and are controlled by a controller. The optical projection subsystems direct optical projections at a plurality of angles ? through the volume of photo-responsive material. The optical projections are further directed about a z axis extending through the volume of photo-responsive material.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite part includes positioning a composite ply over a forming surface of a forming tool, moving a forming feature into engagement with the composite ply to yield a formed ply, and, after the moving, securing the formed ply relative to the forming tool.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a molded product of the present disclosure includes a deposition step of depositing a mixture including a fiber and a complex, a humidification step of humidifying the mixture, and a molding step of heating and pressurizing the humidified mixture to obtain a molded product. The complex includes a composite particle in which a binding material particle containing a binding material that exerts a binding force for binding the individual fibers together by being applied with moisture and an inorganic particle are included as a unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade (10), comprising the steps of placing a fibre lay-up including one or more fibre layers on the mould surface of a blade mould (60), arranging a load-bearing structure (45) and a core member (62) on the fibre lay-up such that the core member (62) is arranged between the load-bearing structure (45) and the leading edge (18) and/or between the load-bearing structure (45) and the trailing edge (20), and infusing resin into the blade mould to impregnate the fibre lay-up. The core member (62) comprises a first hole (64) with a circular cross section, a first cylindrical insert (70) rotatably arranged within the first hole (64) of the core member (62), the first cylindrical insert (70) having a central axis (71). A recess (80) is formed in the first cylindrical insert (70), wherein the recess (80) is arranged eccentrically with respect to the central axis (71) of the first cylindrical insert (70).

Abstract: Heating operation control includes obtaining sensor data indicating measured temperatures within a heating vessel during a heating operation; determining sets of thermal stack parameters. Each set of candidate thermal stack parameters is descriptive of a respective configuration of a thermal stack modeled by a first machine learning model to generate one or more estimated tool temperature values. The thermal stack includes the tool and a part coupled to the tool. Heating operation control also includes determining a temperature profile for the heating operation. The temperature profile is determined, via a second machine learning model, based on the plurality of sets of thermal stack parameters and one or more process specifications of the thermal stack.

Abstract: A drape forming apparatus includes a forming tool having a first forming surface and a second forming surface nonplanar with the first forming surface. A tray is spaced apart from the forming tool and is configured to pivot about a hinged end from a first position to a second position under an applied force such that a distal end moves away from the forming tool. A first side of the tray faces a first heat source when the tray is in the first position, and a second heat source is disposed at a second side of the tray. A device for use in forming the composite structure includes a standoff and the tray, and a heat source is secured to the second side of the tray. A method of forming a composite structure includes heating both sides of the composite material with the first and second heat sources.

Abstract: The method comprises the following consecutive steps: providing at least one reinforcement layer and at least one matrix sheet made of thermoplastic material; forming a complex with the reinforcement layer and the matrix sheet; and placing the complex in a production tool so that the thermoplastic material impregnates the fibers of the reinforcement layer(s) in order to form a prepreg. The method comprises, in the production tool, the following consecutive steps: heating the complex to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material without applying pressure; heating the complex to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material while applying a production pressure higher than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method for producing a reinforcement rod from a fibrous composite material comprising continuous mineral fibers and at least one resin, the resin being mixed with the dry mineral fibers, then wrapped with a strand of material, and the resin then being instantaneous or nearly instantaneously fully cured (e.g., snap cured) to form an optionally round rod with an optionally helical rib. In aspects, a mixture comprising an environmentally friendly and zero or low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting resin and a resin-curing agent mixture is used. In aspects, helical ribs are added to the surface of the rod in a manner not to disrupt the longitudinal orientation of the core reinforcing mineral fibers. In aspects, ultraviolet irradiators are used to snap cure the reinforcement. When fully cured, corrosion resistant mineral fibers are encapsulated in a corrosion resistant matrix.

Abstract: A high-temperature high-linear-pressure micro-eutectic method for enhancing a strength of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based membrane is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: pushing a PTFE-based nano functional composite membrane forwards at a speed of 6-8 m/min in a high-temperature high-linear-pressure micro-eutectic cavity with a length of 1.5 m at a temperature of 380° C., controlling a linear pressure of a surface of the PTFE-based membrane to be 50-80 N/m, and under a coiling traction of a membrane coiling roller outside the cavity, enabling membrane molecular chains to shrink and generate eutectic phases, wherein multiple micro-eutectic molecular structures are arranged in parallel, and the PTFE-based nano functional composite membrane has a density of 2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an ophthalmic lens having at least one optical function, including the determination of a transmission spectrum in a wavelength range from 280 to 2000 nm, the determination of a matrix including at least two compounds absorbing light having a wavelength from 280 to 2000 nm, with regard to the determined transmission spectrum, and additively manufacturing the matrix.

Abstract: A retroreflector includes an arrangement of triples, each having three side surfaces, which are disposed in the manner of a cube corner and stand approximately perpendicular on one another. The retroreflector can be produced from a carrier material by injection molding. An optical silicone resin is used as the carrier material. The retroreflector is based on triple mirrors that are both easily unmolded from a die and easily applied to curved surfaces even after unmolding or are usable for reflection of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The disclosure provides post-production methods for functionalization of optical quality films produced by top tier manufactures. The methods disclosed herein allow for the incorporation of different additives into existing films.

Abstract: The invention relates to a belt and tread drum (1, 401, 501, 601), an assembly of the belt and tread drum and a pressing device and to a method for manufacturing a belt and tread package (9), wherein the belt and tread drum comprises a first support member (2), wherein the first support member (2) comprises a tread support surface (20) which faces away from the drum axis (x) for supporting the tread layer (92) where said tread layer (92) is wider than the belt layer (91), wherein the first support member (2) is positionable in a raised position outside the circumferential surface (S) in the radial direction, wherein the belt and tread drum (1, 401, 501, 601) further comprises a first retaining element (4, 404) and a second retaining element for retaining the tread layer (92) at the first support member.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for controlling the laying down of components of tyres on forming drums, said method comprising: sending a first electromagnetic radiation (Ri1) on a first laying down structure (3a) comprising a forming drum (2) and a first component (CI) of a tyre laid down on said forming drum (2); detecting at least a first corresponding reflected radiation (Rr1), determining as a function of said first reflected radiation (Rr1) a first parameter (PI) representative of a first main length (LI) of said first component (CI); comparing said first parameter (PI) with one or more pre-stored reference values; generating a first correction signal (SI) as a function of said comparison; sending said first correction signal (SI) to at least one preparation station adapted to prepare said first component (CI) to regulate the preparation of further components. An apparatus for controlling the laying down of components of tyres on forming drums is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bead clamp ring for covering a bead clamp of a tire building machine during a tire building process, comprising an annular body formed of a flexible material that includes a central body portion, a proximal end body portion, and a distal end body portion. The proximal end body portion includes a securing to secure the bead clamp ring to the drum. The distal end body portion includes a bead lug to engage the bead clamp. The bead lug includes an annular recess, which includes a proximal recess portion communicated with the open recess end and an enlarged distal recess portion defining the closed recess end. The enlarged distal recess portion extends radially below the proximal recess portion and has a greater radial depth than the proximal recess portion. The enlarged distal recess portion is located distally of a mid-point of the bead lug length.

Abstract: An evaluation device (20) evaluates the operating conditions of a briquetting machine (10). The evaluation device (20) includes an evaluation information acquisition unit (220) and an evaluation data generation unit (230). The evaluation information acquisition unit (220) acquires a plurality of pieces of evaluation information indicating the evaluation results of a plurality of briquettes manufactured under the same manufacturing conditions by the briquetting machine (10). The evaluation data generation unit (230) generates evaluation data that is data obtained by comparing a plurality of pieces of evaluation information with each other.

Abstract: A tooling assembly is for a powder compacting press machine, which has a lower punch chuck and a core rod chuck. The tooling assembly has: a lower punch with a lower punch drawbar for holding the lower punch in the lower punch chuck in the powder compacting press machine; a core rod with a core rod drawbar for holding the core rod in the core rod chuck in the powder compacting press machine; and a coupling mechanism configured to enable a connection between the lower punch and the core rod. The coupling mechanism has a male coupling element on an outer surface of the core rod and a female coupling element on an inner surface of the lower punch drawbar. The male coupling element is an elastic element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.

Abstract: A system and method including a control/monitoring unit that is either integrated with or exterior-mounted on a waste compactor are provided. The unit can have control functionality, monitoring functionality, or both control and monitoring functionality with respect to the waste compactor. The unit can also include a remote on/off control feature which gives a user the ability to remote start/stop the waste compactor and render it operable/inoperable from another remote location.