Abstract: An in-line method for marking a substrate made of extruded synthetic material, the method including the steps of extruding the synthetic material through an extrusion die to form the substrate, marking the substrate by scrolling the substrate obtained from the extrusion die between two rotatably mounted and temperature-controlled rollers with an upper roller and a lower roller, one of the rollers having an impression forming the negative of a decoration or a texture to be marked on one face of the substrate, this same roller or the other of the rollers including at least one notch allowing to guide the substrate as it passes through the extrusion die and between the two rollers. An installation can include in line the extrusion die and the marking device.

Abstract: A phenylene ether oligomer composition is disclosed comprising, a phenylene ether oligomer having an external amine content of less than or equal to 1.5 weight percent; and a residual solvent in an amount of 10 to 10000 parts per million by weight, based on the weight of the phenylene ether oligomer composition; wherein the phenylene ether oligomer composition has an intrinsic viscosity of 0.03 to 0.13 deciliter per gram; a glass transition temperature of 135 to 175° C., or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A biodegradable additive, a biodegradable polyester fiber and a method for producing the same, and a biodegradable fabric are provided. The biodegradable additive includes a polyester resin material and a biodegradable resin material. The biodegradable resin material is at least one material selected from the group consisting of polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), and derivatives thereof. In the biodegradable additive, a content range of the polyester resin material is between 40 wt % and 80 wt %, and a content range of the biodegradable resin material is between 20 wt % and 60 wt %.

Abstract: Improved dental appliances and polymeric sheet compositions are disclosed. The polymeric sheet compositions are useful for making dental appliances having outer layers comprised of a material having a modulus of from about 1,000 MPA to 2,500 MPA (“hard”) and an inner core comprised of elastomeric material or materials having a modulus of from about 50 MPa to 500 MPa (“soft”), which exhibit improved flexibility and strength, and better stain and tear resistance than currently available materials and dental appliances.

Abstract: Liquid shim injection devices and methods for injecting liquid shim material into a gap between adjacent components of an assembly. The liquid shim injection devices comprise a body, which comprises an injection shaft, a liquid shim conduit defined within the body and configured to channel liquid shim material within the injection shaft, and a fluid-permeable region formed along the injection shaft, an actuated fluid seal operably coupled to the injection shaft and configured to be selectively conformed among a plurality of conformations, and a fluid seal actuator assembly configured to transition the actuated fluid seal among the plurality of conformations. Methods comprise inserting the injection shaft into a bore that extends through the adjacent components of the assembly, forming a fluid seal between the liquid shim injection device and an interior component of the assembly, and flowing the liquid shim material from the liquid shim injection device into the gap.

Abstract: A terpolymer composition is described that contains a statistical amount of 50-98 wt % of a first repeating AA-BB comonomer unit; 1-25 wt % of a second repeating AA-BB comonomer unit; and 1-25 wt % of a repeating lactam comonomer unit or 1-25 wt % of a third repeating AA-BB comonomer unit, where the terpolymer composition exhibits a high melting point similar to that of PA66 while also exhibiting a significantly reduced crystallization rate and crystallization temperature.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a long strip of three-dimensional decorative piece made of thermoplastic synthetic resin. The method for producing the strip of three-dimensional decorative piece made of thermoplastic synthetic resin according to the present invention comprises the steps of feeding a decorative strip material, preheating the decorative strip material and softening the decorative strip material with heat, shaping the decorative strip material into a strip of three-dimensional decorative piece by continuously oscillating a high-frequency in between a rotatable upper electrode roll die and a rotatable lower electrode roll die and applying high-frequency dielectric heat to the decorative strip material between the upper and lower electrode roll dies, cooling the shaped strip of three-dimensional decorative piece, and winding up the cooled strip of three-dimensional decorative piece.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a pair of sidewall portions. An outer surface in a tire axial direction of at least one of the sidewall portions includes a base surface, at least one first protruding portion protruding more outward in the tire axial direction than the base surface, and a recessed portion extending on the base surface around the first protruding portion such that the first protruding portion is spaced apart from the base surface. The first protruding portion includes a first surface having a first protruding amount with respect to the base surface, and a second surface having a second protruding amount different from the first protruding amount with respect to the base surface, and the first surface and the second surface are connected so as to form a step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic polyurethane fiber and a method for producing the same. A thermoplastic polyurethane material is firstly provided and subjected to a molten extruding process to form a fiber material. Next, an extension process is performed to the fiber material to obtain the thermoplastic polyurethane fiber of the present invention. The thermoplastic polyurethane fiber has a lower thermal shrinking property, thereby meeting requirements of the application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a support for regenerating core-shell structured hard tissue and a support for regenerating core-shell structured hard tissue manufactured thereby, wherein the support may further comprise bio-functional materials, such as cells, in a core-shell structure. The method for manufacturing a support for regenerating core-shell structured hard tissue according to the present invention has an effect of manufacturing a support for regenerating core-shell structured hard tissue by a method by which a 3-dimensional structure is prepared by a layer manufacturing process through an extrusion container having a double nozzle. In addition, the support can be manufactured at room temperature, thereby having an effect of containing cells or various bio-functional materials.

Abstract: A joint assembly comprising at least one extruded profile member and at least one molded member connected to the profile member by an injection molding process. The extruded profile member comprises at least one pre-processed structured surface area adapted to increase grip between the profile member and a molding tool during the molding process. A method for forming a joint assembly is also disclosed, comprising the steps of comprising: inserting an extruded profile member in a molding tool, the extruded profile member and/or the molding tool having a structured surface area to increase the friction between the molding tool and the extruded profile member; clamping the molding tool and bringing the structured surface in contact with the molding tool and/or the extruded profile member to hold the profile member in place, and injecting material into the molding tool to produce a molded member connected with the extruded profile member.

Abstract: A method of controlling the polymer composition of an ethylene copolymer in a process for preparing ethylene copolymers by copolymerizing ethylene and at least one other olefin in the presence of a polymerization catalyst system comprising at least one late transition metal catalyst component (A), at least one Ziegler catalyst component (B), and at least one activating compound (C) by adding an alkyl alkoxy silane or a dialkyl ether for increasing the relative portion of the ethylene copolymer component obtained from polymerization by late transition metal catalyst component (A), or by adding a saturated halogenated hydrocarbon for increasing the relative portion of the ethylene copolymer component obtained from polymerization by Ziegler catalyst component (B), processes for copolymerizing ethylene and at least one other olefin in the presence of such a polymerization catalyst system comprising utilizing the controlling method, a method for altering the polymer composition of an ethylene copolymer obtai

Abstract: A profile section (10) for a motor vehicle comprises a decorating portion (40), which is composed of a fiber composite material. The fiber composite material comprises an elastomer matrix made of a first elastomer and flock fibers (50). The flock fibers (50) each have a fiber length which is comprised of a first length and a second length. In addition, the flock fibers have one matrix portion embedded in the elastomer matrix and one exposed portion protruding from the elastomer matrix. The matrix portion has the first length and the exposed portion has the second length.

Abstract: An upstream/downstream process for making map pocket stiffeners formed of extruded material and a wire. The extrusion is drawn through a die of a main extruder forming a main body with a channel and the extrudate is then pulled through a first cooling tank to cool the extrudate and set the profile. The wire is automatically indexed into the channel by a programmable indexing device for proper location and distance between each piece of wire. The extrudate with the wire is re-heated and then pulled through a secondary extruder to encapsulate and seal the wire within the extruded material. The extrudate is cooled in a second cooling tank and passes through a series of rollers to achieve a predetermined shape before being cut and profiled to predetermined lengths and dimensions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an extruded board includes at least one streak portion including a first colored portion at an outer surface of a core portion of the board, a second colored portion extending into the core from the first colored portion, and a third colored portion extending further into the core from the second colored portion, and at least one resin portion including a first base portion located directly between the second colored portion and the outer surface, and a second base portion located directly between the third colored portion and the outer surface, the resin portion having an opacity which allows the second colored portion to be viewed from the outer surface through the first base portion under natural light, and which does not allow the third colored portion to the viewed from the outer surface through the second base portion under natural light.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing granulates or continuous strips intended for feeding an extrusion machine, formed of a gel comprising at least, as majority elastomer, a styrene thermoplastic elastomer and more than 200 phr of an extender oil, each element of the granulate having a given surface area. The granulate element is sized so that the compactness, of a granulate element, is less than a value decreasing from 1500 m?1 to 375 m?1 and deposited on the surface of said granulates is an anti-tack agent having a value increasing from 2 cm3 to 8 cm3 per m2 of granulate surface area, when the mean size of the particles of said anti-tack agent increases from a value of 1 ?m to 100 ?m.

Abstract: A method of making a structured surface is disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoplastic backing with multiple rows of upstanding elements. The upstanding elements include stems with proximal ends attached to the thermoplastic backing and distal caps, and each distal cap has an overhanging portion that extends beyond the stem in a first direction. For at least some of the multiple rows, an implement is passed between two adjacent rows, wherein the implement contacts the overhanging portion of at least some of the distal caps in the two adjacent rows such that at least part of the overhanging portion is turned in a second direction, different from the first direction. A structured surface that can be prepared by the method is also provided along with a fastening laminate that includes a carrier and the structured surface and an absorbent article that includes the fastening laminate. A tool useful for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for making over-indexed thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer precursor. The precursor may be cross-linked.

Abstract: A resilient wall base member manufactured with pre-scored grooves to allow relatively short, straight lengths to be used for both flat walls and wall corner junctures without on site scoring operations or equipment. The lengths can either be pre-cut during manufacturing to convenient lengths or can be cut after manufacturing from coils.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluorine-containing resin film which is formed from a fluorine-containing resin composition and has a thickness of 10 to 50 wherein the fluorine-containing resin composition is prepared by adding 10 to 30 parts by mass of titanium oxide or a composite-oxide-type inorganic pigment to 100 parts by mass of a resin component comprising 60 to 95 parts by mass of a vinylidene fluoride resin and 5 to 40 parts by mass of a methacrylic acid ester resin, and wherein the peak intensity ratio of a II-type crystal, which is expressed by (A)/((A)+(B))×100 wherein A represents the peak height at 840 cm?1 and B represents the peak height at 765 cm?1 in a measurement chart produced by an infrared absorption spectrum, is 60% or more and the total crystallinity is 30% or more as calculated from an X-ray diffraction profile.

Abstract: A bi-component process which produces an extrusion splitable in the cross machine direction.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane is produced through a thermally induced phase separation process by dissolving a highly hydrophilic polyamide resin in a high-boiling-point solvent such as an aprotic polar solvent at a temperature of not lower than 100° C. The hollow fiber membrane has a membrane surface having a water contact angle of not greater than 80 degrees, and has a water permeability of not less than 100 L/m2·atm·h and a 0.1-?m particle rejection percentage of not less than 90%.

Abstract: Continuous processing methods for making absorbable polymeric films with one or more of the following properties: high toughness, low modulus, high tensile strength, and thickness less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 1 mm, and more preferably less than 100 ?m, have been developed. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate, and in the most preferred embodiment, the polymer comprises 4-hydroxybutyrate. A particularly preferred embodiment is a film of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or copolymer thereof, wherein the film has a tensile strength greater than 5.5 kgf/mm2, tensile modulus less than 181 kgf/mm2, and elongation at break from 10-500%, wherein the film is derived by a continuous process such as melt extrusion or solvent casting, followed by orientation to more than 25% of the film's original length in one or more directions. These can be used for a variety of purposes including fabrication of medical devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porous membrane with high tensile strength, good elongation at break, and good water permeability, and a method for manufacturing the same. The porous membrane comprises a bead structure including plural spherical crystallites, wherein macro voids isolated from one another with the plural spherical crystallites are formed in an outer surface side of the porous membrane.

Abstract: A process for continuous manufacturing of moisture-curable polyurethane formulations used as sealants and adhesives. The process is characterized by the fact that the reactive components are introduced independently, and without the need for a prepolymer, to a mixer. Solid or liquid raw materials can be either pre-blended or fed directly to the mixer, a twin-screw extruder, which provides the requisite energy to homogenously mix the raw materials and drive the chemical reaction. The process is designed so that the extruder barrel and screw allow variable feed addition and heat exchange down the length of the machine. This allows various operations to be performed at different points in the extruder, including reaction, dispersive mixing, distributive mixing and devolitization.

Abstract: A method of separating a poly(arylene ether) from a solvent includes treating a poly(arylene ether)-containing solution with a devolatilizing extruder to form an extruded composition, and cooling the extruded composition with a cooling device that does not immerse the extruded composition in water. The composition may be used to isolate a poly(arylene ether) from the solvent-containing reaction mixture in which it is prepared, or to remove solvent from a multi-component poly(arylene ether)-containing thermoplastic composition.

Abstract: A removable mold apparatus that forms a portion of the inner surface contour of an elongated hollow over molded polymeric solar collector distribution manifold and its preferred method of leveraged use that integrates select raw material components and process methods to enhance both manufacturing efficiency and hermetic enjoinment durability, most especially when over molding onto connectively spaced tube absorber constructions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin film for a film capacitor making it possible to obtain the excellent heat resistance, materialize a reduction in a size of the film capacitor and an increase in a capacity thereof and satisfy a reduction in a thickness of the film and a high voltage resistance thereof. In a manufacturing method in which an extruding equipment 10 is charged with a molding material 1 to extrude a film 2 for a film capacitor from a T die 20, in which the above extruded film 2 for a film capacitor is interposed between plural rolls in a receiving device 30 and cooled and in which the above cooled film 2 for a film capacitor is wound on a winding tube 42 of a winding device 40, 100 parts by mass of a polyetherimide resin is blended with 1 to 10 parts by mass of a fluorocarbon resin to prepare the molding material 1; the above molding material 1 is extruded through a filter 50 having apertures 51 which are 0.5 to 6 times or less as large as an average thickness of the film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin film for a film capacitor making it possible to obtain the excellent heat resistance, materialize a reduction in a size of the film capacitor and an increase in a capacity thereof and satisfy a reduction in a thickness of the film and a high voltage resistance thereof. In a manufacturing method in which an extruding equipment 10 is charged with a molding material 1 to extrude a film 2 for a film capacitor from a T dice 20, in which the above extruded film 2 for a film capacitor is interposed between plural rolls in a receiving device 30 and cooled and in which the above cooled film 2 for a film capacitor is wound on a winding tube 42 of a winding device 40, 100 parts by mass of a polyetherimide resin is blended with 1 to 10 parts by mass of a fluorocarbon resin to prepare the molding material 1; the above molding material 1 is extruded through a filter 50 having apertures 51 which are 0.

Abstract: A product (10) made from an extruded sheet or web of material (42) having a non-linear cross-section, and the process of making the product (10) is provided. The extruded web or extrudate (42) is plastically deformed in selected areas and then folded. When folded into the appropriate shape, the extrudate (42) is formed into a product (10) having a plurality of cells (14). The cells (14a) may have one or more openings (34a), allowing access to an interior of the cell (14a) and reducing the weight of the product (10a).

Abstract: Disclosed a reinforcement structure for reinforced concrete and methods for manufacturing thereof. In one aspect, the reinforcement structure includes a rod comprising a spiral strip having a pitch between 1.0 and 10.0 times a width of the strip and a ratio of thickness of the strip to the width of the strip in a range of 1:4 to 1:10. The surface of the spiral strip may be entirely or partially corrugated with ribs of arbitrary shape and having height in a range of 0.05% to 0.30% of the thickness of the strip. In another aspect, method for manufacturing a reinforcement structure comprises flattening a wire rod into a flat strip, corrugating it with ribs, and twisting the ribbed strip into a spiral of the specified pitch.

Abstract: Compression molding methods of manufacturing a shaped article are provided. The methods include compression molding thermoplastic resin-based material to provide a molded article, where thermoplastic resin-based material comprises a plurality of controlled geometry pellets. The pellets include at least one generally flat face having a cross-sectional shape with a rectangular envelope having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. The controlled geometry pellets may include a plurality of reinforcing particulates dispersed throughout the thermoplastic resin. The reinforcing particulates typically have a largest dimension which is no more than about 90% of the largest pellet dimension.

Abstract: A product 10 made from an extruded sheet or web of material 42 having a non-linear cross-section, and the process of making the product 10 is provided. The extruded web or extrudate 42 is plastically deformed in selected areas and then folded. When folded into the appropriate shape, the extrudate 42 is formed into a product 10 having a plurality of cells 14. Optionally, the cells 14a can include one or more openings 34a, allowing access to an interior of the cell 14a and reducing the weight of the product 10a.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a multilayer object in synthetic resin (9) by compression molding a dose of molten multilayer resin (1) comprising at least one functional layer (2,20), each layer of the dose being in the molten state at the time of compression; the method consisting at least in co-extruding the resins through a die, in cutting the extrudate periodically in order to obtain a dose (1), then in depositing the dose (1) in the molten state in the cavity of a mold; the method thereby defining, within the dose, an extrusion direction and an arrangement of the functional layer (2,20) parallel to the extrusion direction; the method being characterized in that the dose is compressed along a compression axis (16) which intersects the extrusion direction, so as to introduce, into the flow of the layers, asymmetry with respect to the compression axis (16).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an oriented thermoplastic polyester resin sheet which is excellent in tensile strength, tencile modulas and heat resistance, and a light laminate-molded body using the same, which has a low linear expansion coefficient and is excellent in impact resistance, durability, easiness of handling, productivity, and others. A process for producing an oriented thermoplastic polyester resin sheet, which includes: pultrusion-drawing a thermoplastic polyester resin sheet in an amorphous state at a temperature from the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polyester resin ?20° C. to the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polyester resin +20° C.; and then drawing the resultant uniaxially at a temperature higher than the temperature for the pultrusion-drawing. A laminate-molded body, wherein a thermoplastic resin layer is laminated on each of the surfaces of the resultant oriented thermoplastic polyester resin sheet.

Abstract: There is provided a cable protection and guide member that requires no assembly, allows cables to be readily installed and steadily protected, and suppresses dust, flexion noise and flexion vibrations. The member can also maintain a straight position of the cable, can achieve a flexional movement of the cable smoothly with a small radius of flexion, and can block the cable from jumping out of a cable accommodating space. The member comprises the rectangular-tube like cable accommodating space composed of a belt-like inner circumferential wall portion and of a large number of arm-like holding portions that are formed integrally with both right and left edges of the belt-like inner circumferential wall portion. Side wall base end portions of the arm-like holding portions are integrally molded by two color molding by using synthetic resin softer than any of the portions.

Abstract: There is provided a method for forming a resin molded article characterized by comprising the steps of melting and kneading a thermoplastic resin, storing a predetermined amount of the melted and kneaded thermoplastic resin, extruding the stored thermoplastic resin intermittently in a predetermined extrusion amount per unit time from an extrusion slit provided in a T-die and having a predetermined gap and sandwiching the sheet-shaped resin between a pair of rollers arranged below the extrusion slit and feeding the resin downward at a feeding speed higher than, or equal to the predetermined extrusion speed by rotary driving of the rollers, disposing the sheet-shaped molten resin, fed by the rollers, near a side of a mold arranged below the pair of rollers, and forming the sheet-shaped resin in a shape conforming to a shape of the mold.

Abstract: A method of continuous curing and post-curing of a plurality of extruded strands is provided. A plurality of extruded strands is wrapped through a plurality of spindle units rotatably connected to a rigid frame structure. A plurality of dual spindles are provided in a plurality of upper and lower spindle units, wherein each dual spindle comprises a free spinning roller and a driven roller. A chamber that comprises a dual function chamber configured for heating and cooling is supported on the rigid frame structure. The plurality of extruded strands is continuously transferred between the upper spindle units and the lower spindle units such that the plurality of extruded strands runs in a vertical fashion that continuously alternates between the lower spindle units and the upper spindle units. Each of the plurality of strands is transferred independently of each other and continuously passed through the chamber for continuous curing and post-curing.

Abstract: A method for forming a resin molded article includes a step of extruding a thermoplastic resin intermittently at a predetermined speed from an extrusion slit, such that the resin droops downward in a shape of a sheet. The method further includes the steps of: feeding the extruded sheet-shaped resin downward by a pair of rollers; and forming the sheet-shaped resin with a mold. In the step of feeding the sheet-shaped resin, one of the rollers is pressed against the other, but not to the extent of crushing the sheet-shaped resin, regardless of the thickness of the sheet-shaped resin. In addition, a surface temperature of each of the rollers is set lower than a temperature of the sheet-shaped resin and within a predetermined temperature range. This method can prevent sliding contact between the rollers and the sheet, while preventing the sheet from being wound around the rollers.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable polylactic acid (PLA) film and a method of its manufacture are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the PLA films exhibit heat-induced shrinkage in the transverse direction with little to no concomitant shrinkage in the machine direction. The films may comprise any grade of PLA polymer, optionally including additives, such as antiblock, slip, plasticizers, viscosity enhancers and combinations thereof. A method of cast and tenner manufacture is disclosed, which includes a temperature conditioning step.

Abstract: Provided is a propylene resin microporous film which has excellent lithium ion permeability, and can be used to fabricate a high-performance lithium ion battery and prevent short circuits between positive and negative electrodes by dendrites. The propylene resin microporous film has micropores formed by uniaxially stretching a propylene resin film, a degree of air permeability of 100 to 400 s/100 mL, and a rate of surface aperture of 30 to 55%.

Abstract: A reflector reflects incident light and comprises crystalline plastic in which a crystal region and an amorphous region are mixed, wherein the amorphous region includes a plurality of orientation layers comprising amorphous particles that are oriented in a predetermined direction. The reflector, which has high reflectance, is formed by extending a crystalline plastic material exhibiting a superior extensibility to extend the amorphous particles in the amorphous region in the predetermined direction so as to form a plurality of extension layers in the amorphous region. Since a reflector having a superior performance with a very improved reflectance can be provided due to a high diffuse reflectance by the extension layers in the amorphous region without a foaming process or an additional additive to increase the reflectance, the manufacturing process of the reflector is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced so that productivity can be greatly improved.

Abstract: An exemplary method of, for instance, forming a baffle or reinforcer includes extruding an expandable material to have a particular cross-sectional profile, inserting the expandable material into a molding tool, cutting the expandable material to a predetermined length within the molding tool, and overmolding a carrier material onto a portion of the expandable material within the molding tool.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a plastic spacer/riser to increase useable height of a reclosable fastening system, such as 3M™ Dual Lock™ or Velcro® hook and loop products. The spacer/riser is adapted to be held in place on an external substrate with hot-melt glue, sonic welds, pressure-sensitive adhesives, acrylic foam tape, or screws.

Abstract: A method for electrostatic spinning of thermoplastic polymers for obtaining nano and microfibers, is introduced. The method if characterized by the following steps: solving the thermoplastic polymer in a corresponding solvent; adding a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) to this solution, and introducing the solution into an electric field and spinning under the effect of the electric field to nano and microfibers.

Abstract: Method, system and resin sheet for producing fiber-reinforced molded parts (SMC) by extrusion in a molding press from a fiber-reinforced resin sheet which is continuously produced in a flat web installation. At least one resin base layer is combined with fibers in a mixing device, is subsequently mixed in a fulling and saturating device, and is finally matured in a thickening device to form a continuous resin sheet, wherein the continuous resin sheet is cut to form cut sheets and is then transferred, either directly or joined in a structure with other cut sheets, by a transfer device to a tool of a molding press in which it is then pressed to form a fiber-reinforced molded part. Reinforcements are applied on at least one resin base layer for forming a reinforcement zone which is delimited in length and/or width relative to at least one resin base layer before joining the resin base layers.

Abstract: An extrusion device includes a sculpted extrusion die comprising a pair of mating die lips having sculpted surfaces and defining a die exit for an extrudate. The contour of the sculpted surfaces is substantially similar to the contour of a juxtaposed surface configured for receiving the extrudate from the die exit of the sculpted extrusion die. The sculpted extrusion die preferably comprises a die lip adjustment mechanism for adjusting a thickness of the extrudate exiting the die exit and the thickness of the extrudate received on the juxtaposed surface. The air gap between the die exit of the sculpted extrusion die and the juxtaposed surface preferably is substantially eliminated by adjusting the distance between the sculpted surfaces and the juxtaposed surface. A method of adjusting a thickness of a substantially continuous sheet of extrudate formed using an embodiment of the sculpted extrusion die of the invention is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a shingle, together with the shingle made thereby, is provided, in which one or more thermoplastic materials are extruded or co-extruded to form an extrudate, with the extrudate being cut into a preliminary shingle shape, which is allowed to dissipate heat, and then is delivered to a compression mold, wherein the preliminary shingle shape is compression molded to substantially its final dimensions and is then discharged from the mold and allowed to cool.

Abstract: A method for making a polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression on at least one side thereof. The method comprises the steps of providing a forming structure being moveable upon a forming drum and comprising a plurality of protrusions extending from the forming structure, the protrusions being generally columnar forms having an average aspect ratio of at least about 1. The forming structure is disposed adjacent a vacuum chamber and vacuum is applied at a sufficient level to induce a sufficient partial pressure to conform a precursor web to the forming structure, thereby forming the polymeric web. The precursor web can be cast directly onto the forming structure, or it can be re-heated by re-heat means to elevate its temperature sufficiently to permit vacuum formation.

Abstract: Methods for generating supports (30) for parts (50) produced by solid freeform fabrication (“SFF”) are disclosed. The method includes defining a plurality of layers (L) that make up the part, and for each layer, determining those regions (R) that require support. The method also includes merging the regions for the different layers (L) into one or more common regions that require support, and providing at least one support for each of the one or more common regions. The result is that fewer supports are used as compared to conventional SFF fabrication methods.