Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for casting building material to form a construction element using a computer-controlled apparatus. The method comprises the steps of: moving the material deposition head and selectively depositing material, to fabricate a formwork; pouring building material in contact with at least a portion of the formwork; at least partially curing the building material, thereby forming the construction element; and removing at least a portion of the formwork from the construction element.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermally enhanced extrudate for a door or window includes providing an extrudate including a channel shaped to receive glass or a frame and having a completely enclosed cavity. The method further includes forming openings in a first flange of the extrudate. The remaining portion of the first flange form bridges that extend between a first wall and a second wall. The method further includes position a flowable material into the cavity through the openings. The flowable material cures to create a solid insulation material in the cavity and the bridges resist warping of the extrudate as the flowable material cures.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial vascular graft comprising a primary scaffold structure encompassing an inner space of the artificial vascular graft, said primary scaffold structure having an inner surface facing towards said inner space and an outer surface facing away from said inner space, a coating on said inner surface, wherein a plurality of grooves is comprised in said coating of said inner surface. The primary scaffold structure comprises further a coating on said outer surface. The primary scaffold structure and the coating on said inner surface and on said outer surface are d designed in such a way that cells, in particular progenitor cells, can migrate from the periphery of said artificial vascular graft through said outer surface of said coating, said primary scaffold structure and said inner surface to said inner space, if the artificial vascular graft is used as intended. The invention relates further to a method for providing said graft.

Abstract: The invention provides locomotive biological machines comprised of hydrogel structures and one or more types of cells. The locomotive biological machines are capable of controlled directional movement and can be used for sensing, information processing, actuation, protein expression, and transportation.

Abstract: The method for the production of a dental prosthesis part comprises the provision (11) of a dataset (2) for a dental prosthesis part (6) for use in a CAD/CAM technique, the provision (12) of reference data (3) for optical properties of different dentin materials and translucent enamel materials for the dental prosthesis part (6) and a relationship (4) between said optical properties, the desired optical properties and the dimensions of the dental prosthesis part (6), the definition (13) of a first setpoint (S1) for the optical properties of a dentin region, the definition (14) of a second setpoint (S2) for the optical properties of an enamel region, the definition (15) of a third setpoint (S3) for a thickness of the enamel region of the dental prosthesis part (6), the selection and provision (16) of a dental prosthesis mold block (5) having a dentin region made from a material.

Abstract: In a method for synthesizing polymeric microstructures, a monomer stream is flowed, at a selected flow rate, through a fluidic channel. At least one shaped pulse of illumination is projected to the monomer stream, defining in the monomer stream a shape of at least one microstructure corresponding to the illumination pulse shape while polymerizing that microstructure shape in the monomer stream by the illumination pulse. An article of manufacture includes a non-spheroidal polymeric microstructure that has a plurality of distinct material regions.

Abstract: An image inspection apparatus includes: an imaging section for capturing an image of a workpiece from a certain direction; an illumination section for illuminating the workpiece from different directions at least three times; an illumination controlling section for sequentially turning on the illumination sections one by one; an imaging generating section for driving the imaging section to generate a plurality of images; a normal vector calculating section for calculating a normal vector with respect to the surface of the workpiece at each of pixels by use of a pixel value of each of pixels having a corresponding relation among the plurality of images; and a contour image generating section for performing differential processing in an X-direction and a Y-direction on the calculated normal vector at each of the pixels, to generate a contour image that shows a contour of inclination of the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A device for making artificial teeth for a denture. The device is comprised of a nest comprised of a lower portion formed of a rigid material and having an upper planar surface, and an upper portion contiguous with the upper planar surface of the lower portion, and formed of an elastomeric material and configured to receive a plurality of the artificial teeth and hold the teeth in predetermined positions relative to the upper planar surface. A method for making artificial teeth using the nest and a fixative applied thereto is also disclosed. The method may include milling of the artificial teeth by a CAD-CAM operated mill.

Abstract: A microchannel formed at the interface of two layers of material, at least one of the two materials being a substrate. A volume of the microchannel contains a film of polymer fixed by covalent bonding to the substrate layer. The film of polymer being formed from a hydrogel material susceptible to undergoing changes in volume under the action of an external stimulus. The hydrogel polymer is chosen from those which are sensitive to changes in temperature, light, electrical field or pH. A method for producing the microchannel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biological substance-immobilized fibers wherein a biological substance is immobilized on a fiber, fibers retaining a biological substance-immobilized gel, and fiber alignments having bundles of the above-described fibers and slices of the same.

Abstract: A method of forming a microneedle array can include forming a microneedle array that has one or more bioactive component. The microneedle array can include a base portion and plurality of microneedles extending from the base portion, and the one or more bioactive components are present in a higher concentration in the plurality of microneedles than in the base portion.

Abstract: A golf grip for a golf club includes a cap, a body, a tip, and a grip surface. The body includes an under layer, a top layer, and a middle layer. The under layer includes a first color. The top layer includes a second color, different than the first color. The top layer is disposed on the under layer. The middle layer includes a third material. The middle layer is at least partially disposed between the under layer and the top layer. The tip is a portion of the under layer extending beyond the top layer and the middle layer. The grip surface extends between the cap and the tip. The grip surface is the radially outer surface of the body and includes the top layer, a plurality of exposed portions of the under layer, and a plurality of exposed portions of the middle layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-emitting button key and a manufacturing method thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for making golf balls is disclosed. The system may include laser cutting dimples into a golf ball cover layer. Laser cutting may also be used to add texture to the surface of a golf ball. Laser cutting dimples may provide flexibility in quickly creating different shapes, sizes, and patterns of dimples. Thus, during golf ball testing, a certain pattern of dimples may be made, tested, and then quickly adjusted. For example, the dimples may be adjusted by cutting away more cover material to make the dimples larger, deeper, and/or in a different shape. After further testing, the golf ball dimples may be adjusted again multiple times.

Abstract: A method of forming an architectural concrete structure having a desired look (i.e., color) and texture, wherein the method generally includes pouring a base concrete layer using conventional concrete. A surface concrete mixture is prepared and includes a mixture of sand and small aggregates to give the surface concrete mixture the desired color and texture for the architectural concrete structure. The base concrete layer provides strength and durability to the concrete structure, while the surface concrete layer provides the desired look and texture of the concrete surface. The surface concrete mixture preferably includes small aggregates to create a smooth and uniform texture.

Abstract: A production method of an optical waveguide includes: preparing a laminated body that includes a first clad layer and at least a core layer laminated on the first clad layer; forming a light propagating optical waveguide core by cutting the core layer by use of a dicing saw from a side where the core layer is laminated while intruding an edge of a blade portion of the dicing saw into the first clad layer so as to partially cut the first clad layer; and embedding at least a cut portion of the laminated body with a second clad layer.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a panel of electronic components such as power converters reduces wasted printed circuit board area. The panel, which may include a plurality of components, may be cut into one or more individual pieces after encapsulation. The mold may be used to form part of the finished product. Interconnection features provided along boundaries of individual circuits are exposed during the singulation process providing electrical connections to the components without wasting valuable PCB surface area. The molds may include various internal features. Wide cuts may be made in the molds after encapsulation reducing thermal stresses. Blank mold panels may be machined to provide some or all of the above features in an on-demand manufacturing system. Connection adapters may be provided to use the modules in vertical or horizontal mounting positions in connector, through-hole, surface-mount solder variations.

Abstract: This invention provides a fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate having flow channels on faces of the plate, comprising an electrically conductive polymer composite. The composite is composed of (A) at least 50% by weight of a conductive filler, comprising at least 5% by weight reinforcement fibers, expanded graphite platelets, graphitic nano-fibers, and/or carbon nano-tubes; (B) polymer matrix material at 1 to 49.9% by weight; and (C) a polymer binder at 0.1 to 10% by weight; wherein the sum of the conductive filler weight %, polymer matrix weight % and polymer binder weight % equals 100% and the bulk electrical conductivity of the flow field or bipolar plate is at least 100 S/cm. The invention also provides a continuous process for cost-effective mass production of the conductive composite-based flow field or bipolar plate.

Abstract: A resin protrusion forming method includes: forming on a substrate a thermal curing resin layer that is in an uncured state; forming a protrusion by pressing a forming mold against the thermal curing resin layer; forming a retaining member that retains a side face of the protrusion; and heating the substrate on which the protrusion and the retaining member have been formed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a concrete pole, includes steps of preparing a mold with PC steel bars; preparing a concrete composition comprising cement 19˜21 weight percent, Pozzolanic material 3˜5 weight percent, fine aggregate 25˜40 weight percent, natural stone aggregate 30˜45 weight percent, chemical admixture 0.3˜0.4 weight percent, inorganic pigment 0.4˜1.0 weight percent, and water 6˜7 weight percent; pouring the concrete composition into the mold; shaping the poured composition into a hollow pole; curing the shaped pole by steam at a temperature range from 75° C. to 85° C. from 6 to 8 hours; removing the mold from the cured pole; and grinding the outer surface of the pole so that the pattern and color of the natural stones are exposed on the outer surface.

Abstract: This invention is to an improved method for cleaning contaminated polymer when that polymer is to be blended with clean material. The method involves combining the contaminated material and the clean material in a compartmentalized pellet wherein the contaminated material is placed in the outermost compartment, the clean material is placed in an inner compartment and then subjecting the pellet to an extraction process.

Abstract: A method of forming a chemical mechanical polishing pad. The method includes polymerizing one or more polymer precursors and forming a chemical-mechanical planarization pad including a surface, forming grooves in the surface defining lands between the grooves, wherein the grooves have a first width, and shrinking the lands from a first land length (L1) at the surface to a second land length (L2) at the surface, wherein the second land length (L2) is less than the first land length (L1) and the grooves have a second width (W2) wherein (W1)?(X)(W2), wherein (X) has a value in the range of 0.01 to 0.75.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing products by applying material at least partially in layers to form a structure, in particular by selective laser melting (SLM), said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a base plate, (b) applying a layer of a curable material, (c) selectively curing predetermined zones of the applied layer on the basis of geometrical data of the product, (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the geometry of a first partial volume of the product has been created in the form of a cured material and (e) removing the uncured material. According to the invention, a reference mark is provided, the unit formed by the base plate and the first volume zones is clamped into a specific position by means of the reference mark and the respective second partial volume of the respective product is cut from the base plate, preferably by machining, in particular CNC milling.

Abstract: A body may be provided having first and second ends having threaded outer surfaces. A bore may extend between the first and second ends. A tool may be provided having a first outer mold-line surface, a second opposing surface, and a hole extending between the first and second opposing surfaces. The first end may be threadedly attached and sealed, at the second opposing surface, to an inner surface of the hole. A cap may be threadedly attached and sealed to the second end of the body. A composite may be consolidated against the first outer mold-line surface of the tool. The cap may be unthreadedly removed from the second end. A drill bit may be inserted into the bore, through the tool hole, and against the composite to drill a composite hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing extruded profiled elements (3) from an elastomer material. In said method, the extruded profiled element (3) is formed from the elastomer material in a first step, the extruded profiled element (3) is entirely or partly surrounded by a thermoplastic material, the elastomer material that is surrounded by the thermoplastic material is cured, and the thermoplastic material is finally removed again once the elastomer material has been cured.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of polymeric components comprises the steps of: providing an array of preforms (10), each preform (10) comprising crosslinked polymeric material; providing non-crosslinked polymeric material (28) around at least a portion of each preform (10); fusing the array of preforms (10) to the non-crosslinked polymeric material (28) so as to form a plurality of hybrid components; removing a portion of each preform (10) so as to deposit a crosslinked surface layer on the non-crosslinked polymeric material (28); and fashioning the hybrid components into the plurality of polymeric components. The polymeric components may constitute the whole or a part of a prosthesis, such as an acetabular cup prosthesis for use in hip resurfacing.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is cut by moving a heated knife blade across the optical waveguide with the knife blade maintained at a predetermined angle. At that time, by maintaining the temperature of the knife blade at a temperature not lower than the glass transition point of the optical waveguide, a portion, in contact with a bevel plane of the knife blade, of the optical waveguide softens to be planarized along the bevel plane. In this way, an optical path conversion mirror constituted of a planarized cut plane is formed in a region through which the bevel plane has passed.

Abstract: Fabricating a blade by 3D weaving a preform that is to be impregnated with resin. The visibility of the cut ends of certain yarns of the preform, e.g. the warp yarns, is accentuated in order to cause curved lines to appear, and the configuration of these curved lines is compared with a reference configuration in order to shape the preform properly.

Abstract: The invention offers a separation membrane element that can be produced by a method in which a membrane-sealing portion is formed by, first, immersing end portions of hollow-fiber-shaped porous separation membranes in a resinous liquid and, then, curing the resin, that has a feature in that the membrane-sealing portion is formed of a casting resin and pores of the hollow-fiber-shaped porous separation membranes are filled with a pore-filling resin at the portion at which the membranes are in contact with the membrane-sealing portion, so that the casting resin is strongly bonded with the pore-filling resin, and that has the hollow-fiber-shaped porous separation membranes whose basal portions are flexible, so that breakage of the basal portions and leakage of gas or liquid are less likely to occur when in use; a separation membrane element that has a feature in that in the membrane-sealing portion, at least the surface at a side that is to be in contact with a liquid to be treated is formed of a thermosetting f

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a concrete pole, includes steps of preparing a mold with PC steel bars; preparing a concrete composition comprising cement 19˜21 weight percent, Pozzolanic material 3˜5 weight percent, fine aggregate 25˜40 weight percent, natural stone aggregate 30˜45 weight percent, chemical admixture 0.3˜0.4 weight percent, inorganic pigment 0.4˜1.0 weight percent, and water 6˜7 weight percent; pouring the concrete composition into the mold; shaping the poured composition into a hollow pole; curing the shaped pole by steam at a temperature range from 75° C. to 85° C. from 6 to 8 hours; removing the mold from the cured pole; and grinding the outer surface of the pole so that the pattern and color of the natural stones are exposed on the outer surface.

Abstract: An injection molding method in which a multilayer film including a base layer and a transfer layer stacked on the base layer is disposed in the molding space of an injection mold, the molding space containing the multiplayer film is filled with resin, and then the injection mold is opened to obtain a molded article transferred with the transfer layer peeled from the base layer, wherein after the resin is injected into the molding space, a cooling circuit near the molding space cools the multilayer film before the injection mold is opened.

Abstract: A laminated foam article contains at least two foam boards having mating peak and groove surface profiles where surface skin remains on at least a portion of the profiles and wherein the foam boards are laminated to one another in a mating orientation with the peaks of one foam surface within the grooves of the adjoining foam surface with an adhesive between the mating surfaces of the foams and wherein the laminated foam article has a thickness that exceeds 200 millimeters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure with luminous and visual effects, a light transmissive sheet thereof, and a method for making the same. The light transmissive sheet includes a first layer, a light transmissive intermediate layer and a second layer. The material of the first layer, the light transmissive intermediate layer and the second layer is polyurethane resin. The light transmissive intermediate layer is disposed on the first layer, and the second layer is disposed on the light transmissive intermediate layer. At least one pattern is formed on the first layer or the second layer, and the pattern penetrates the first layer or the second layer. When light irradiates the light transmissive sheet, the pattern is shown, so the light transmissive sheet has luminous and visual effects.

Abstract: A rotational intravascular ultrasound probe for insertion into a vasculature and a method of manufacturing the same. The rotational intravascular ultrasound probe comprises an elongate catheter having a flexible body and an elongate transducer shaft disposed within the flexible body. The transducer shaft comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a drive shaft extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, an ultrasonic transducer disposed near the distal end portion for obtaining a circumferential image through rotation, and a transducer housing molded to the drive shaft and the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a substrate having an energy generating element configured to generate energy required to discharge liquid, a discharge port configured to discharge the liquid and provided in an opposed relationship to the energy generating element, a wall member defining a chamber adapted to store the energy required to discharge liquid the energy being generated by the energy generating element, a discharge portion defining a fluid path connecting the chamber and the discharge port, a supply path facilitating supplying the liquid into the chamber, and a pair of hollow portions provided in the wall member, wherein the hollow portions oppose each other and sandwich at least the entire discharge port in a direction from the discharge port to the substrate, and the hollow portions are independent of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the localized working of a structural component that comprises a foam material reinforced by at least one strut at a working location. Firstly, the foam material is selectively removed, while leaving the at least one strut, within a strut connecting zone in the region of the working location. Subsequently, the strut connecting zone is filled with a filling material and the at least one strut is connected to the filling material in the strut connecting zone. From a further aspect, a sandwich component which comprises a foam core is provided. An embedding part is at least partially embedded in the foam core and at least partially surrounded by a layer of filling material. At least one strut is incorporated in the foam material, fastened at one end to the surface of the foam core and integrated at another end in the layer of filling material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a flooring element or a wall element which are referred to as element in the following, the element comprising: a supporting core from a core material, a decorative layer disposed on a top side of the element, connecting means on at least two first opposite lateral edges of the element, which serve for connecting laterally adjacent elements, the method comprising the following steps: removing of a volume of core material in the area of at least one of the first lateral edges, then filling at least parts of the volume with a filler material, then forming at least parts of the connecting means into the filler material. The invention also relates to a flooring element or a wall element.

Abstract: A method for adhering two layers of materials is described. An additional layer of material deposited on one of the layers is used. The additional layer of material is perforated and undercut by etching away one of the layers thereby generating anchor shaped holes. The other layer is then deposited on the additional layer filling the anchor shaped holes therefore, providing adhesion.

Abstract: A method of forming a patterned layer of a material on a substrate includes forming a layer of the material on a stamp, and contacting the stamp with a first substrate comprising a pattern of protruding and recessed features to bring a first portion of the layer into conformal contact with the protruding features. The stamp is then removed from the first substrate. The first portion of the layer remains in conformal contact with the protruding features, and a second portion of the layer opposite the recessed features is removed with the stamp. Accordingly, a patterned layer is formed on the stamp inverse to the pattern on the first substrate. The method may further include transferring the patterned layer on the stamp to a second substrate.

Abstract: A target (1) for archery training, which is to be launched into the air and is suitable for being hit by an arrow, includes at least two mutually opposing surfaces, at least one of which forms a surface for receiving arrows, characterized in that at least one receiving surface has at least one surface relief (3a, 3b). A device for launching such a target, and a method for making such a target with surface reliefs made advantageously by hot marking are also described. Applicable to shooting at any projectile, especially in archery, and particularly when the target is mobile, for example by being launched into the air.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of creating a lustrous surface in opaque materials using ridge angles, and valleys of varying depths cut, imprinted or pressed into the opaque material. The combination of the light reflecting ridges, angles to reflect more or less light, and a shadow effect arising from a combination of the valley depths and the angle of the ridges allows one to use light and shadow to create a pattern or series of patterns in the opaque materials. These patterns are created using a process whereby a design is first created, then cut into a master blank using some type of manual or computer-aided method. Next, this pattern is inlaid, pressed, or imprinted into a blank panel composed of the opaque material. In some embodiments, this opaque material is allowed to set, thus creating a finished article of manufacture in the form of a panel.

Abstract: A method for forming a plastic article is provided. An uninterrupted film with a hard-coating layer is provided and transported into a mold. A predetermined area of the film attaches to an inner surface of a cavity of a female mold of the mold. The predetermined area of the film is cut from the uninterrupted film during closing the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a film comprising at least one layer of a thermoplastic fluoro-polymer and at least one layer of another polymer (A). The inventive method consists in using extrusion blow molding to coextrude a fluoro-polymer and polymer (A) which adhere to one another; with a layer of another thermoplastic polymer (B) such that it forms a layer which is adjacent to the fluoropolymer/polymer (A) layer According to the invention, the thermoplastic polymer (B) is incompatible with the fluoro-polymer and polymer (A) and has adequate extrudate behavior to support the layers of fluoro-polymer and/or polymer (A). Once the coextrudate has been cooled, by separating the layer(s) of (B), at least the film is recovered, said film comprising at least one layer of a polymer selected from among thermoplastic fluoro-polymers and polymers (A).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an injection molded product includes producing an injection mold by building a one-piece mold block including a mold cavity sized and shaped to correspond to a desired shape of the injection molded product and a first feeder duct extending from the mold cavity and injecting a molten material into the mold cavity via the feeder duct to form an injection molded product and a sprue extending therefrom into the first feeder duct in combination with machining a portion of the injection block to expose the injection molded product and machining the injection molded product while the sprue firmly holds the product in a remaining portion of the injection mold. The product is then cut from the sprue.

Abstract: A tire forming method is disclosed in which letters and lines having different colors are formed in a side wall portion of the tire.

Abstract: The invention provides foams of desired cell sizes formed from metal or ceramic materials that coat the surfaces of carbon foams which are subsequently removed. For example, metal is located over a sol-gel foam monolith. The metal is melted to produce a metal/sol-gel composition. The sol-gel foam monolith is removed, leaving a metal foam.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of imprinting substrate-supported or freestanding structures at low cost, with high pattern transfer yield, and using low processing temperature. Such methods overcome many of the above-described limitations of the prior art. Generally, such methods of the present invention employ a sacrificial layer of film.

Abstract: Medical articles with porous polymeric structures and methods of forming thereof are disclosed. The porous structure can have pores sizes that are nanoporous or greater than nanoporous. The porous structure can be a coating or layer of a medical device such as a stent, stent graft, catheter, or lead for pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Additionally, the body of the medical device can be a porous polymeric structure. The porous structure can be made from bioabsorbable polymers. The porous structures can be formed by contacting a polymer with a supercritical fluid.

Abstract: A bowling ball with an indicia is provided. A method for manufacturing such a bowling ball is also provided. The indicia may be preformed and attached to the core of the bowling ball before the outer layer of the bowling ball is created.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to capturing a covering such as a braid on a exterior profile of a plastic tube by overmolding onto a plumbing tube, wherein a circumferentially surrounding covering or braid is modified prior to the overmolding process.