Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional preform from reinforcing fibers for producing a component from a fiber-reinforced plastic comprises the steps of introducing at least one layer of fibers having a binder into a draping mold, forming the at least one layer of fibers by at least one forming element which is displaceable along the draping mold, applying an airtight film to the at least one layer of fibers during or directly after the forming, creating a negative pressure in the intermediate space between the airtight film and the draping mold, activating the binder and removing the negative pressure after curing of the binder.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an object with a computer-controlled apparatus according to computer instructions derived from a computer model of the object. The method involves fabricating a plurality of beads of material, whereby at least a portion of two beads abut and are arranged at an angle between 1-179° to each other. The two beads may be fabricated on respective notional planes which intersect each other. Alternatively, the two beads may be fabricated to form respective non-planar layers. Further alternatively, the two beads may be fabricated as three-dimensional beads. Also, the two beads may be curved and form respective planar layers.

Abstract: A fused deposition modeling (FDM) extrusion head is configured to receive control signals from a controller. The FDM extrusion head receives a stream of thermofusible material into an input channel; forces the stream of thermofusible material into a liquefier channel using a mechanical driver; heats the stream of thermofusible material within the liquefier channel to a specified temperature above melting point of the thermofusible material; and receives the heated thermofusible material from an outlet of the liquefier channel and expels the heated thermofusible material through an extrusion tip.

Abstract: A method for microcontact embossing of a structure by transferring an embossing material onto a target surface of a substrate by means of an embossing surface of a structural die. The embossing material is comprised at least predominantly of silane or at least predominantly of at least one silane derivative and in that the structural die is a soft die. A corresponding method is provided in which the embossing material is a molecular component that is comprised at least predominantly of organic molecules.

Abstract: A loop-forming closure element for hook-and-loop fasteners embodies an embossed nonwoven material having continuous fibers of a spun bonded fabric and carded staple fibers. The continuous fibers and the staple fibers are intertwined and form a common nonwoven material layer as a fiber blend.

Abstract: Coextruded multilayer blown films are produced comprising: a core layer comprising at least one random polypropylene copolymer; at least one skin or intermediate layer adjacent to said core layer; wherein the coextruded multilayer film has at least about 30% higher machine direction tear, at least about 30% improved tear ratio (machine direction tear divided by transverse direction tear) and at least about 10% lower film haze, relative to a similar multilayer film comprising at least one impact polypropylene copolymer in the core layer.

Abstract: A method of laminating a decorative layer to a molded part comprises molding a part formed of an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin and applying a segment of co-extruded an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin film to the part. The part is loaded into a vacuum forming nest and maintained in a heated state. The film is heated and then positioned over the part in a pressure box. A vacuum is applied through the vacuum forming nest to a first side of the film facing the part at the same time air pressure is applied through the pressure box to a second side of the film. The film is bonded directly to the part without the need for an adhesive.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminate structure comprises producing a multi-layer barrier film by producing a blown film of n-layers, by a blown extrusion process and subsequently collapsing the n-layer blown film to form the multi-layer barrier film, which consists of 2n-layers and which comprises a first polymer layer, a gas barrier layer and a second polymer layer, wherein at least one of the first and second polymer layers comprises a polyamide layer, providing the outside of a substrate with a polymer layer, and extrusion laminating the multi-layer barrier film to the inside of the substrate by an adhesive layer. In one embodiment, the first polymer layer, the gas barrier layer and the second polymer layer form a first barrier block, and the multi-layer barrier film further comprises a second barrier block, substantially identical to the first barrier block.

Abstract: A laminate comprises bonded together adheringly (i) film based on a thermoplastic polyurethane based on a polyetherdiol prepared by alkoxylation of a difunctional starting substance, ethylene oxide being used as alkylene oxide and the weight fraction of ethylene oxide based on the total weight of the alkylene oxides used being at least 20% by weight, and also (ii) fibrous nonwoven web based on thermoplastic polyurethane.

Abstract: A decorative architectural panel can be formed using multiple image layers to create one or more three-dimensional effects in a final product. In particular, a reference image layer comprises an extruded sheet having an artistically-designed reference image formed thereon. A next image layer comprises an extruded sheet having a differently sized iteration of the artistically designed reference image. A manufacturer can place the next image layer over the reference image layer, and set the combined image layers such that the final product shows the artistically-designed image in three-dimensions. Additional image layers, such as a color layer, or a layer having embedded objects, can be combined with the stratified product for additional artistic effects.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a cable having at least one conductor and at least one sheath surrounding the conductor which is made of an insulating plastic material, wherein the plastic material is applied to the conductor by extrusion and is subsequently cross-linked or cured in a tube-like envelope by supplying heat thereto, wherein a tube-shaped or hose-shaped envelope is continuously produced around the cable sheath in an intimate contact with or at a radial distance therefrom after said extrusion, which envelope is adapted to ensure the counterpressure required for the cross-linking or curing process in the cable sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a coated wire or other elongated article including a means to extrude a polymer in tubular form around the wire or article and a means to increase the temperature of the wire or article before extrusion of the polymer thereon. The extruded polymer is elongated from the extrusion opening to the elongated article, forming a melt cone, were the relative feeding speed of the heated elongated article and the extrusion rate of the polymer are controlled and with the aid of at least a partial vacuum that is achieved in the extrusion tooling and inside the melt cone the extruded polymer tightly encases the wire achieving a thin polymer coating.

Abstract: A method for producing a film with attached fibrils having a cloth-like look and feel. A flocking or metering device is provided for dispensing a layer of the fibrils. The fibrils are next delivered onto a moving vacuum belt, which has a porous surface for drawing the layer of fibrils thereto. After dispersion, the fibril layer is transported and held by the vacuum conveyor belt to a position under a slot cast extrusion die, where a lower temperature melt polymer is released. Upon release, the lower temperature melt polymer and fibril layer fuse and combine to interlock to create a composite temporary web. In one embodiment, the fibril layer and lower temperature melt polymer are delivered at a first nip point between a pair of nip rollers to create the composite temporary web. The composite temporary web may next be collected on collection rolls, or combined with a higher temperature melt polymer under a second slot cast extrusion die to form a permanent film with fibrils.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyester resin is fed into a twin extruder, wherein a resin is heated for melting, thereby removing moisture in the resin by evacuating and sucking from a vent port thereof, injecting a foaming agent into the resin to which is pushed out as a foaming sheet and, after that, forming the foaming sheet which is divided into a forming body and a trimming loss, whereby the trimming loss is crushed to obtain crushed materials which are provided so as to put the materials into the twin extruder as collection materials and recycle them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for the manufacture of a non-slip fabric, comprising: a drum made to rotate around its own axis with a number of cup-shaped seatings on its surface, which seatings communicate with the inside of the drum, the inside of the drum being maintained at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure; an extrusion head designed to extrude a thin plastic film onto the surface of the said drum; a second head, downstream of the previous one, designed to extrude a second, flat layer of thin plastic film; systems designed to bond the said films on the surface of the said drum; systems designed to convey a strip of fabric and bond it to the said films around the said drum; systems designed to cool the surface of said drum; systems designed to remove the laminate so obtained. The invention relates also to the relevant manufacturing method.

Abstract: This process consists: in continuously extruding, with the aid of a multislot die, parallel sheets (31) of thermally fusible material inside a cooling chamber (4), with the creation of a seal between the longitudinal edges of the sheets and the walls of the chamber; and in creating, in this chamber and from the end located on the die side, successively in the various compartments located on both sides of each sheet (31), successively a vacuum and the delivery of a coolant, the two compartments located on the two sides of the same sheet being, in the case of one of them, subjected to a vacuum and, in the case of the other, subjected to the delivery of a coolant, and conversely during the following phase, so as to deform the sheets and weld them in pairs with the formation of cells (36).

Abstract: A multi-layer tube comprises a metal tube having an outer surface and a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface, wherein the zinc layer is selected from the group consisting of zinc plating, zinc nickel alloys, zinc cobalt alloys, zinc aluminum alloys, and mixtures thereof. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the zinc layer, wherein the surface treatment layer is selected from the group consisting of a zinc/aluminum/rare earth alloy, phosphate, chromate and mixtures thereof. A first polymeric layer is bonded to the surface treatment layer, wherein the first polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer, an ionomer, a nylon, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof. A second polymeric layer is bonded to the first polymeric layer, wherein the second polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a nylon, a thermoplastic elastomer, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A polymeric waterproofing membrane is provided which has an improved biaxial elongation compared with conventional polymeric waterproofing membranes. The membrane is a composite of an upper layer and a lower layer as well as an in between situated barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer comprises at least one organic polymeric material and the upper layer and the lower layer comprise at least one organic polymeric material which has better mechanical characteristics in comparison to the organic polymeric material used in the barrier layer. The upper layer and the lower layer contain the same or different materials. The organic polymeric material for the barrier layer is not damaged upon biaxial elongation of the polymeric waterproofing membrane, and biaxial elongation of the polymeric waterproofing membrane does not result in separation of the layers.