Abstract: The imprint apparatus of the present invention includes a holding unit configured to hold a mold; a particle inspection unit configured to inspect whether or not particle is present on an imprint area, in which the resin pattern is formed, of the substrate; a dispenser configured to apply an uncured resin to the imprint area; a movable unit configured to move the imprint area with respect to the holding unit; and a controller. The movable unit is capable of moving the imprint area to each of an inspection position by means of the inspection unit, an application position by means of the dispenser, and a contacting position by means of the holding unit. Also, the controller causes the inspection unit to perform inspection of the imprint area in association with the movement of the imprint area by means of the movable unit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing fuel tanks made of polymer material using a blow molding technique, the method including: offering up at least one sheet form extrudate between two opposing cavities of an open mold with an impression that corresponds to a shape of a tank that is to manufactured; then bringing the two cavities together until the mold is closed; as the two cavities are being moved closer together and before the extrudate comes into contact with one of them, injecting a first fluid between the extrudate and at least one cavity; injecting a second fluid on the opposite side of the extrudate from each cavity, to press it firmly against the wall of the cavity; removing the first fluid present between the cavity and the extrudate before end of injection of the second fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing and assessing at least part of an object (2), the methods comprise: performing, using Additive Manufacturing apparatus (8), an Additive Manufacturing process to produce a test specimen (30, 34, 38) and at least part of an object (2); performing, using micro-tomography apparatus (40), on the test specimen (30, 34, 38), a micro-tomography process to create a digital model (50) of the internal structure of the test specimen (30, 34, 38); determining whether or not the model (50) satisfies one or more criteria; and, if the model (50) satisfies the criteria, determining that the at least part of the object (2) produced by performing the Additive Manufacturing process is acceptable, or, if the model (50) does not satisfy the criteria, determining that the at least part of the object (2) produced by performing the Additive Manufacturing process is not acceptable.

Abstract: Methods and devices use a three-dimensional scanner and a three-dimensional printing device operatively connected to a processor. The three-dimensional scanner automatically determines a size and shape of an item to be packaged and the processor automatically identifies information corresponding to the item to be packaged. The processor automatically controls the three-dimensional printing device to form a container that is customized to match the size and shape of the item to be packaged (using a continuous additive process of forming successive layers of material in different shapes). When forming the container, the processor also automatically controls the three-dimensional printing device to form a label as part of the container. The label includes color variations to visually convey the information identified by the processor.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing head includes a housing (100), a fusing module (200) arranged in the housing (100), and a heat dissipation module (300). The fusing module (200) is disposed in the housing (100) and includes a feeding tube (210) with both ends open. A feeding inlet (211) for receiving a filament material (20) is at one end of the feeding tube (210), a supplying nozzle (220) is at the other end of the feeding tube (210), and multiple fins (212) are formed outside of the feeding tube (210). A heater (230) is disposed at the supplying nozzle (220) to heat the same for melting the filament material (20). The heat dissipation module (300) includes a fan (310) arranged in the housing (100), and the fan (310) has an inlet side (311) and an outlet side (312) opposite thereto. The outlet side (312) is arranged toward the fusing module (200).

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth. The orthodontic bracket including a ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body including an archwire slot that is configured to receive the archwire therein. The CIM bracket body including a polycrystalline ceramic. A coating of alumina or silicon dioxide is in continuous and direct contact with at least the surfaces of the archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket is characterized by unexpectedly high torque strength. The ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body may include a polycrystalline ceramic having a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 ?m to about 6 ?m such that the orthodontic bracket is also characterized by unexpectedly high fracture toughness. A method of making the orthodontic bracket includes injection molding a bracket using a ceramic powder, sintering the molded bracket, and coating the ceramic injection molded bracket.

Abstract: The tabletting system (1) comprises a rotary tablet press (6) with a tablet press feeder (67). A first material feeder (21) and a second material feeder (22) are connected to a blender (4) with an inlet end (40) and a discharge end (45). The discharge end (45) of the blender is in close connection with the tablet press. The inlet end (40) of the blender (4) is positioned at a level (u) higher than the level (v) of the discharge end (45) in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A method for operating a molding machine includes specifying a simulating domain corresponding to a genuine domain in a mold disposed on the molding machine. The method proceeds to perform a virtual molding by using a setting packing pressure profile to generate a simulated state waveform, generating a designed state waveform including an isobaric phase and an isochoric phase while taking into consideration the simulated state waveform, and obtaining an updated packing pressure profile for applying a molding pressure to a portion of the genuine domain while taking into consideration a difference between the simulated state waveform and the designed state waveform. Subsequently, the method proceeds to set the molding machine while taking into consideration the updated packing pressure profile to perform an actual molding by applying an actual molding pressure to the at least a portion of the genuine domain to prepare the molding product.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, apparatuses, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium. The disclosure delineates real time manipulation of three-dimensional printing to reduce deformation. The present disclosure further provides 3D object formed using the methods, apparatuses, and systems.

Abstract: There is provided an analysis method whereby, when a proposed plan for deforming a resin molded article is created, it is possible to create a more effective proposed plan in a short time. In an deformation state analysis method of analyzing, for a resin molded article to be deformed, a deformation state of the resin molded article by optimizing an objective function under a prescribed restraint condition and a prescribed limiting condition, using a topology optimization method dividing the resin molded article into micro regions, the restraint condition is a trend of the amount of deformation of the resin molded article, the prescribed limiting condition is a contribution rate expressing an extent to which deformation of each micro region contributes to deformation of the resin molded article, and in the optimization of the objective function optimization is performed so as to minimize rigidity of the resin molded article.

Abstract: A method for localizing a marine animal in an underwater environment implemented by a passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) system. The passive acoustic monitoring system includes network of acoustic sensors adapted to carry out measurements of acoustic signals. The method includes: obtaining, from the network of acoustic sensors, measured data of an acoustic signal emitted by a marine animal; defining a space of dimensional representation of the underwater environment discretized in a plurality of predefined cells, for each cell of a predefined set, obtaining an error defined as a value of a cost function for the cell, the cost function giving a deviation between: at least some of the measured data; and corresponding theoretical data obtained by assuming the marine animal is located in the cell, the errors obtained for the predefined set of cells enabling to obtain at least one piece of information about localization of the marine animal.

Abstract: An RTM method in which a preform formed from a reinforcing fiber substrate is placed in a cavity of a molding die, and resin is injected from a plurality of injection ports into the cavity and impregnated into the preform, includes disposing the plurality of injection ports in first positions in a central section of the cavity corresponding to positions of the preform located in a product area of an article to be finally molded and second positions located in a periphery of the cavity corresponding to positions of the preform outside the product area of the article to be finally molded or corresponding to positions inside the cavity but outside an area of the preform, and causing the timing of closing the injection ports after resin injection to be different from each other between injection ports disposed in the first positions and injection ports disposed in the second positions.

Abstract: Constraint-based methods for determining orientations of material physical properties using an isoparametric shape function are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of defining an orientation of an material physical property includes defining nonlinear and/or discontinuous design constraints of design values in a geometric domain associated with one or more physical attributes of the material physical property, and translating the nonlinear and/or discontinuous design constraints into continuous, first order design constraints of the design values by applying an isoparametric shape function. The method further includes performing a topology optimization using the continuous, first order design constraints of the design values, and reverse-translating results of the topology optimization back into the geometric domain using the isoparametric shape function. The results of the topology optimization in the geometric domain are indicative of the orientation of the material physical property.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for depositing a layer on a substrate. In one embodiment, the method includes exposing a surface of the substrate disposed within a processing chamber to a fluid precursor, directing an electromagnetic radiation generated from a radiation source to a light scanning unit such that the electromagnetic radiation is deflected and scanned across the surface of the substrate upon which a material layer is to be formed, and initiating a deposition process with the electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength selected for photolytic dissociation of the fluid precursor to deposit the material layer onto the surface of the substrate. The radiation source may comprise a laser source, a bright light emitting diode (LED) source, or a thermal source. In one example, the radiation source is a fiber laser producing output in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a container (14) from a blank (2) of thermoplastic material having a body (4) extending along a principal axis (A), which comprises: A selective heating step in which the body (4) of the blank (2) is exposed to monochromatic or pseudo-monochromatic infrared radiation, the power of which is modulated along the principal axis (A) of the body (4) in such a way that said body has alternating hot annular regions (4A, 4C, 4E, 4G, 4I), the temperature of which is far higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material, and comparatively colder annular regions (4B, 4D, 4F, 4H), the temperature of which is close to the glass transition temperature (Tg); A forming step in which a fluid under pressure is injected into the blank (2) thus heated, said step being carried out in free expansion.

Abstract: A system for providing cooling of a memory device comprises a cooling system arranged to store a coolant, a valve system connected to the output of the cooling system, and a control system connected to the valve system and arranged to open the valve system when power is lost to the control system. The system further comprises a delivery system connected to the output of the valve system and arranged to deliver the coolant to the memory device and the cooling system comprises a canister of low boiling point fluid.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film element that includes a substrate, a lower electrode on the substrate, a piezoelectric film on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric film. The piezoelectric film is a potassium sodium niobate film represented, as its main constituent, by the general formula (1?n)(K1-xNax)NbyO3-nM1M2O3 in which M1 is any one of Ca, Sr, and Ba, and M2 is Zr, and x, y, and n respectively are within the ranges of: 0.25?x?1.00; 0.85?y?1.10; and 0.01?n?0.10. Alternatively, M2 is any one of Sn and Hf, and x, y, and n respectively are within the ranges of: 0.25?x?1.00; 0.90?y?1.05; and 0.01?n?0.10.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a gypsum product comprising a mixer for mixing gypsum and water and two foam feeds into the system wherein the foam feeds each comprise foam of different bubble size distributions.

Abstract: Method for removing injection-molded items from an injection-molding machine via a robot and device for performing method. The injection-molding machine and the robot each having a separate drive, and each drive is acted on by a separate open- and closed-loop control unit that is separately programmable. At least the open- and closed-loop control unit of the robot contains a computing element, and the injection-molding machine is equipped with at least one signaling device for detecting a position of the mold. The method includes applying a signal of the signaling device to the open- and closed-loop control unit of the robot, recalculating a motion sequence of the robot based of the open- and closed-loop control unit after each removal cycle, and for each next removal cycle, moving the robot from a start position by a timer at a recalculated start time.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fine processing method includes determining a resist amount required for each first region of a pattern formation surface and a total amount of resist. The method include dividing the total amount of resist by a volume of one resist drop to determine the resist drops total number. The method include determining a provisional position for the resist drop of the total number. The method include assigning the each first region to nearest one resist drop, and partitioning again the pattern formation surface into second regions assigned to the each resist drop. The method include determining a divided value by dividing the volume of the one resist drop by the required total amount of resist determined. The method include finalizing a final position of the each resist drop, if a distribution of the divided value in the pattern formation surface falls within a target range.

Abstract: A method using directed self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) for making an imprint template has the required patterns for both the features in the template's active area and the optically-detectable alignment marks in the template's non-active area. A chemical contrast pattern defined by a lithographic technique forms patterns of lines in both the active area and non-active area, as well as patterns of featureless gap regions in the non-active area. The pattern of lines has the BCP components aligned as lamellae perpendicular to the substrate, while the pattern of featureless gap regions has the BCP components aligned as lamellae parallel to the substrate. The patterns of lines and featureless gap regions in the non-active area define the optically detectable alignment marks. One of the BCP components is removed, leaving the other BCP component as an etch mask to fabricate the imprint template.

Abstract: A viscosity feedback temperature control system that controls the viscosity of a process fluid about a user-defined setpoint by varying the temperature of the fluid within a user-defined range to take advantage of the viscosity versus temperature characteristics inherent in all fluids.

Abstract: A method for production control in stretch blow molding of plastic containers in a blow molding machine, and a test preform for the use therewith, and a blow molding machine for performing the method. At least one test preform with a regular and/or in particular equidistant, printed test pattern is fed into a stream of product preforms entering the blowing molding machine. Furthermore, the product preforms and the test preform are in the continuous operation of the blow molding machine blown to form product containers and to form a test container and the test container is imaged with at least one camera. The product quality during the ongoing test operation can thereby with imaged test container be performed flexibly and selectively.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional object from solidifiable material, which is either present in the starting state in a fluid phase or can be liquefied, by the sequential discharge of drops from at least one pressurisable material storage device for the fluid phase by means of at least one discharge unit through an outlet provided with a pulsable closure element, the closure element is actuated by means of an actuator and its initial stressing is measured at the operating point by means of the actuator, where the initial stressing is controlled by means of an adjusting element, and a mapping for the elastic deformation of the closure element is determined by means of the actuator actuated by the adjusting element, such that an elastic working range of the closure element is adjusted by means of the adjusting element within the mapping.

Abstract: Effective use of dispersants in wallboard containing foam results from a method where stucco is mixed with a first dispersant and a first quantity of water to form a gypsum slurry. A soap is blended with a second dispersant and a second quantity of water to make a foam. Subsequently, the foam is combined with the slurry. Choice of different first and second dispersants and their relative amounts allows control of the size distribution of the foam bubbles in the slurry and the resulting voids in the gypsum core. Melamine sulfonate condensate and polycarboxylate dispersants are preferred dispersants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laminate-type decorative sheet for use in simultaneous decoration and injection molding, including a base film and at least a decorative layer provided on the base film, the decorative sheet having an elongation at break as measured at 25° C. of 3 to 10%, and an elongation at break as measured at 120° C. of 200% or more. The laminate-type decorative sheet exhibits good conformability to the molding surface of a mold during the course of preforming, and is less likely to produce wrinkling, blistering, breakage, etc. when laminated on and united with a resin molding through injection molding. In addition, the decorative sheet enables easy trimming.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the production of strand-shaped products such as synthetic bands, fiber strands, monofilaments, or films, which are extruded from a polymer melt. The device includes an extrusion device, a cooling device, several rolling feed units and several processing devices mounted between the rolling feed units. In order to obtain short control paths and compact machine units, the processing devices according to the invention are arranged in tiers one above the other, wherein the rolling feed units face each other at both ends of the processing devices so that the product passes through the processing devices in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Partitioning control of the wet end and dry end, by introducing estimates of physical properties such as dry weight: and percent ash at the wire, allows for machine direction (MD) controls to continue during loss of scanner measurements. A mathematical model estimates the controlled, variables, such as dry weight, basis weight, and ash percent at the wire, and these estimated values are then controlled. When scanner measurements resume, parameters in the model are recursively updated to compensate for any model errors and ensure an accurate model. MD controls consist of a cascade set-up where the estimated wire-dry weight or wire basis weight and estimated wire ash percent are controlled by manipulating stock flow and addition of filler to stock. When scanner measurements are available, they become the downstream variables in the cascade control and are controlled by manipulation of the setpoints for the estimated wire weight and ash.

Abstract: A microfluidic sensor includes a microchannel that includes a reaction site with a reagent and a sample inlet. A liquid substance is received at the sample inlet and travels by capillary action to the reaction site. A temperature sensor measures a temperature as a result of a reaction between the reagent and a chemical in the liquid substance. A controller is communicatively connected to the temperature sensor, receives the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and derives a concentration of the chemical in the liquid substance from the temperature.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for producing a composite body comprising a flexible decorative material for use as decorative trim having a visible surface in a motor vehicle. The method comprises first joining a plurality of material pieces to form a material block, and then severing one or more composite bodies from the material block. The severing is carried out such that the severed composite body contains several of the material pieces. Thereafter, the severed composite body is applied to a visible surface of a decorative trim.

Abstract: A substantially constant pressure injection molding method and machine that forms molded parts by injecting molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity at a substantially constant pressures. As a result, the mold cavity is filled with molten thermoplastic material by advancing a continuous flow front of thermoplastic material from a gate to an end of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an object made of a constituent material obtained from a sol-gel solution, the process including, successively: a) introducing the sol-gel solution into a mold of the object to be manufactured; b) gelling the sol-gel solution; c) drying the gel obtained in b) in the mold, by which the gel is converted into the constituent material of the object, wherein the mold includes a closed chamber and includes a material configured to allow evacuation of gases formed during b) and/or c).

Abstract: An improved melt-blowing apparatus includes a primary air system with a plurality of air tubes and a die tip assembly having a die tip and a pair of oppositely disposed air plates. A flow-splitting device efficiently divides a stream of pressurized and heated primary air into multiple tubular flows, which are fed into air intake passages in the die tip assembly. The flow-splitting device and the air tubes are located radially outward and independent of the die body and the die tip assembly. The tubular air flows are transformed into two uniform air knives by a distribution chamber within the die tip assembly. The present primary air supply system simplifies the equipment, saves energy, improves product quality, and reduces operational and maintenance efforts.

Abstract: An extrusion line for producing plastics material profiles includes an extruder, a calibration station, and an additional piece of downstream equipment. A mold includes an internal cooling system having a branch for a coolant disposed inside the mold; wherein a coolant flow distribution is controllable.

Abstract: A method for the measurement of pressure in high temperature and high pressure processes includes the steps of providing at least a first material compound and at least a second material compound. The at least first and second compounds are mixed to form a material sample. The material sample is loaded into a device and the device and material sample are subjected to a high pressure of up to about 10 GPa and a high temperature of up to about 2000° C. to form the material sample into a solid crystalline solution. The material sample is recovered for analysis and the composition of the crystalline solid solution is measured to determine the pressure ex situ.

Abstract: Protection systems and methods provide for protecting one or more personal computers (“PCs”) and/or other intermittently or persistently network accessible devices or processes from undesirable or otherwise malicious operations of Java TN applets, ActiveX™ controls, JavaScript™ scripts, Visual Basic scripts, add-ins, downloaded/uploaded programs or other “Downloadables” or “mobile code” in whole or part. A protection engine embodiment provides for monitoring information received, determining whether received information does or is likely to include executable code, and if so, causes mobile protection code (MPC) to be transferred to and rendered operable within a destination device of the received information. An MPC embodiment further provides, within a Downloadable-destination, for initiating the Downloadable, enabling malicious Downloadable operation attempts to be received by the MPC, and causing (predetermined) corresponding operations to be executed in response to the attempts.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object, comprises providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid; irradiating the build region through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid while concurrently advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form the three-dimensional object from the solid polymer, while also concurrently: (i) continuously maintaining a dead zone of polymerizable liquid in contact with the build surface, and (ii) continuously maintaining a gradient of polymerization zone between the dead zone and the solid polymer and in contact with each thereof, the gradient of polymerization zone comprising the polymerizable liquid in partially cured form. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer includes a first electrode mounted on one of a substrate and a base film, an electromechanical transducer film mounted on the first electrode and made of a piezoelectric substance having a perovskite crystal structure, and a second electrode mounted on the electromechanical transducer film. The electromechanical transducer film includes a {100} plane preferentially oriented to be orthogonal to a thickness direction of the electromechanical transducer film and has a full width at half maximum corresponding to a {200} plane in an X-ray diffraction measurement curve in 2?-? scan that is measured by emitting an X-ray beam onto a surface of the electromechanical transducer film at an incident angle ?. The full width at half maximum is not greater than 10 degrees.

Abstract: Protection systems and methods provide for protecting one or more personal computers (“PCs”) and/or other intermittently or persistently network accessible devices or processes from undesirable or otherwise malicious operations of Java TN applets, ActiveX™ controls, JavaScript™ scripts, Visual Basic scripts, add-ins, downloaded/uploaded programs or other “Downloadables” or “mobile code” in whole or part. A protection engine embodiment provides for monitoring information received, determining whether received information does or is likely to include executable code, and if so, causes mobile protection code (MPC) to be transferred to and rendered operable within a destination device of the received information. An MPC embodiment further provides, within a Downloadable-destination, for initiating the Downloadable, enabling malicious Downloadable operation attempts to be received by the MPC, and causing (predetermined) corresponding operations to be executed in response to the attempts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling commencement of an injection of a melt stream of moldable material from an auxiliary injection unit. A sensor is placed in an injection molding system to sense a condition related to an injection of a first melt stream of a first moldable material provided by a primary injection unit. Commencement of a second melt stream of a second moldable material from the auxiliary injection unit is initiated upon the sensed condition related to the injection of the first melt stream being detected at a preselected value. The sensed condition may be a pressure, velocity or temperature of the first melt stream as provided by a direct sensor, a force or strain on a hot runner component as provided by an indirect sensor or the occurrence of a function of the injection molding system as provided by a functional sensor.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for forming a three-dimensional image and, more particularly, for making three-dimensional digital image transfer thermoformed objects on, e.g., generic molds. The method includes manipulating digital images of a subject into a single image; printing the single image onto a media; and thermoforming the media with the single image using a generic mold. The system comprises a computer infrastructure operable to: receive images of a subject; display the images; stitch together the images to form a single image; adjust portions of the images or single image to compensate for deformation during thermoforming of the single image; register the single image with points on a mold; and print the single image.

Abstract: A stretch-blow molding machine having at least one blow molding station, in which a split blow mold, an adjustable blow nozzle with a valve section, a stretching rod with a stretching rod drive system, and an electronic control unit are provided, the electronic control unit arranged in the blow molding station is equipped with hardware and software for selectively operating the blow molding station with a combination of a cam drive and a pneumatic drive, or a combination of an electric servo drive and a pneumatic drive, or only an electric servo drive in the stretching rod drive system.

Abstract: A resin material can be prevented from flowing to a front end and a rear end of an inner terminal during an insert molding. Under a state that a hollow and tubular main body part (11c) of an inner terminal (11) formed by covering one of two end parts of a rectangular piece with the other is held by metal molds (14), (15) and (16), the resin material is injected.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for modeling a lineweld connecting two modeled parts includes receiving lineweld properties from a user, wherein the properties include a lineweld path. The computer-implemented method also includes positioning a plurality of fastener definitions at discrete points along the lineweld path, defining beam element definitions between adjacent fastener definitions, and analyzing the lineweld based on the fastener definitions and beam element definitions.

Abstract: Provided are a robot for managing a structure, and a method of controlling the robot. The robot for maintaining and repairing the structure measures a luminance value by capturing an image of the structure, or measures depth information of the structure by using a laser sensor or stereo vision, determines a protruding portion or depressed portion of the structure by using the measured luminance value or the measured depth information. Also, the robot removes the determined protruding portion and fills the determined depressed portion by using a combination hardener. Accordingly, protrusion, depression, and crack of a wall caused by deterioration or poor construction of the structure may be automatically found and repaired so as to efficiently manage the structure.

Abstract: A cover for a dental tool holder including a cover portion adapted for fitting over a receptacle of the tool holder so as to prevent direct contact between a dental tool and the dental tool holder when the tool is held within the holder.

Abstract: The exact method with small time-lag of detecting screw back pressure for controlling the screw back pressure in the plasticizing process of an electric-motor driven injection molding machine without using a pressure detector has been asked for because the pressure detector is very expensive, necessitates troublesome works for mounting, an electric protection against noise and the works for zero-point and span adjustings and causes a complicate mechanical structure. The present invention uses a high-gain observer which contains the discrete-time arithmetic expressions derived from a mathematical model of a plasticizing mechanism in an electric-motor driven injection molding machine consisting of state equations and outputs an estimate of screw back pressure, which is one of the state variables of the above state equations, by using a screw position signal, a servomotor current demand signal or actual motor current signal and a screw revolution speed signal as inputs.

Abstract: An injection apparatus includes a pressure accumulating portion connected to an operation chamber of an injection cylinder. A control unit controls the speed at which the injection cylinder moves and is connected to a rod of the injection cylinder. The control unit includes a rotary shaft that follows the movement of the rod and is capable of moving in the same direction as the rod, a conversion mechanism that converts the linear motion of the rod into the rotation of the rotary shaft, and a rotation member coupled to the rotary shaft. The control unit further includes a resistance generating member that generates a frictional resistance by coming into sliding contact with the rotation member, an actuating member that is moved by an electric drive source, and a movement mechanism that follows the movement of the actuating member and moves the resistance generating member relative to the rotation member.

Abstract: A method of controlling a slot die comprises, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the position of the actuators with the controller to either increase the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators or substantially close the fluid flow path adjacent the actuators, and after changing the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, repositioning each of the actuators with the controller according to the set of discrete settings to resume operating the slot die with the actuators positioned according to the set of discrete settings.

Abstract: Methods and devices use a three-dimensional scanner and a three-dimensional printing device operatively connected to a processor. The three-dimensional scanner automatically determines a size and shape of an item to be packaged and the processor automatically identifies information corresponding to the item to be packaged. The processor automatically controls the three-dimensional printing device to form a container that is customized to match the size and shape of the item to be packaged (using a continuous additive process of forming successive layers of material in different shapes). When forming the container, the processor also automatically controls the three-dimensional printing device to form a label as part of the container. The label includes color variations to visually convey the information identified by the processor.