Abstract: Described are methods and systems for a composite structure that allows for out of autoclave curing. Due to the layout of the composite structure, voids within the composite structure, formed out of autoclave, is reduced. The composite structure includes a composite laminate and one or more infusion films. The composite laminate includes a plurality of fiber tows that each include a plurality of fiber strands and a resin. The resin has a first viscosity within a first temperature range. The infusion film is disposed on a surface of the composite laminate and has a second viscosity lower than the first viscosity within the first temperature range. Methods of curing the composite structure are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical obturator includes providing an injection mold including a mold cavity defining an outer surface of the optical obturator and a core pin centrally positioned within the mold cavity. The core pin defines an inner surface of the optical obturator. In particular, the core pin may be cantilevered to the injection mold. The method further includes injecting a first material between the core pin and the mold cavity to form the tubular shaft and injecting a second material between a distal portion of the core pin and a distal portion of the mold cavity to form the optical tip.

Abstract: A female mould having a forming cavity inside which a concave object can be formed, comprises: an annular forming element extending about an axis and delimiting the forming cavity about said axis; a plate element which delimits the forming cavity transversely to said axis, the plate element having a reference surface extending transversely to said axis externally of the forming cavity; a peripheral annular component at least partially surrounding the annular forming element. The annular forming element abuts against a first portion of the reference surface of the plate element. The peripheral annular component abuts against a second portion of the reference surface of the plate element.

Abstract: A pressure vessel includes curved sidewalls configured as a frame having a polygonal outline, a planar top side and a planar bottom side attached to the curved sidewalls forming a sealed pressure chamber therebetween. Each planar side includes a contoured surface having shaped pressure resistant features formed thereon. A preferred method for forming the pressure resistant features includes hydraulic pressurization to induce plastic strain. The pressure vessel also includes an array of internal support posts within the sealed pressure chamber attached to the planar sides in a geometrical pattern, such as a hexagonal array. The support posts can be solid metal cylinders, hollow tubes or tubes through which reinforcing materials, such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or fiber/epoxy tape have been passed. A composite pressure vessel includes tubular internal support posts reinforced with reinforcing materials, as well as contoured surfaces and curved sidewalls reinforced with these same reinforcing materials.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system, and corresponding method, prints a sacrificial component using a 3D printing system that includes a spreading mechanism for spreading unbound powder to form layers of a powder bed and a printing mechanism for jetting binder fluid into the unbound powder to form the sacrificial component. The system forms the sacrificial component with a feature that provides a resistive force to a shear force imposed by the spreading mechanism during the spreading. The system prints a part with the 3D printing system in a coupled arrangement with the sacrificial component. The coupled arrangement in combination with the resistive force is sufficient to immobilize each printed layer of the part to resist the shear force imposed by the spreading mechanism during spreading of the unbound powder above each printed layer of the part. After printing, and before or after post-processing, the part and sacrificial component are separated.

Abstract: A facility for manufacturing a hollow glass article, including: a finishing mold intended to receive a blank of the hollow glass article and defining a cavity for forming the hollow glass article, at least one gas source, and a blowing head connected to the gas source and adapted for achieving at least one injection of the gas into the inside of the blank contained in the cavity. The facility further includes: at least one reservoir of coloring powder, and a system for injecting the coloring powder into the inside of the blank while the blank is located in the finishing mold and into the inside of the hollow glass article while the hollow glass article is located in the finishing mold, so that the injection of the coloring powder takes place before, during, after, before and during, during and after, or before, during and after the gas injection.

Abstract: Provided is a process for thermoforming a gas and liquid permeable layer (10) of thermoplastic material having an average thickness of less than 1.0 mm, the process comprising the steps of bringing the layer of thermoplastic material, at a temperature below that required for thermoforming, into contact with a mould (16) at a temperature above that of a thermoforming temperature of the thermoplastic material; pressing the mould into contact with the layer of thermoplastic material, the contact between mould and thermoplastic material causing heat to transfer from the mould to the thermoplastic material and raising the temperature of the thermoplastic material to a thermoformable temperature; such pressing thereby causing thermoforming of the thermoplastic material to conform to the shape of the mould.

Abstract: Hybrid feature selection methods include methods of creating a predictive model for structural repair during heavy maintenance in a fleet of aircraft. Methods include qualifying a qualification dataset of fatigue-related parameters calculated from data collected during a first group of flights of a first aircraft that experience a replacement of a structural component during heavy maintenance. Methods include receiving a qualified selection of the fatigue-related parameters and verifying a verification dataset of the qualified selection of the fatigue-related parameters calculated from data collected during a second group of flights of a second aircraft that experienced heavy maintenance without replacement of the structural component.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite material that is formed to include an aperture is provided. The method includes disposing a plurality of woven substances including reinforcement fibers on a jig having a protrusion to fit the woven substances on the protrusion and thus provide the aperture. Additionally, the method includes integrally mounting the jig and a plurality of the woven substances in a mold, and adding a resin to the mold to immerse the plurality of the woven substances with the resin.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for molding workpieces usable for consumer products. The workpieces may be injection molded with a cavity formed by a core pin and have an undercut, such as internal threads, in the cavity. The apparatus has a drive system with a stripper plate mounted for alternatingly forward and retracting axial movement. The stripper plate is axially driven and drives a stripper sleeve barrel cam and a core pin base barrel cam, each having respective cam followers. The respective motions of the cam followers are superimposed on a stripper sleeve insert, which drives a core pin sleeve. The core pin sleeve is subjected to responsive three-dimensional motion, allowing an internally threaded workpiece to be unscrewed from the core pin sleeve. The system does not require separate drives for the core pin sleeve and further allows each mold cavity/core pin combination in a mold half to be unique.

Abstract: In one example, an additive manufacturing system includes a processing system to obtain characteristic data including conditions under which a heat reservoir may be added close to a portion of the object, based on the characteristic data, add sacrificial structure data to the three-dimensional object data for a sacrificial heat reservoir structure close to a portion of the object and not connected to the object, and generate multiple slice images from the three-dimensional object data including the sacrificial structure data.

Abstract: A container comprising a propylene, ethylene, 1-hexene terpolymer wherein: (i) the content of ethylene derived units ranges from 0.2 wt % to 1.0 wt %; (ii) the content of 1-hexene derived units ranges from 3.5 wt % to 5.5 wt %; (iii) the content of ethylene derived units fulfills the following equation (I); C2<C6*0.16??(I); wherein C2 is the content of ethylene derived units wt % and C6 is the content of 1-hexene derived units wt %; and (iv) the melt flow rate MFR measured according to ISO 1133, 230° C., 2.16 kg ranges from 15 to 80 g/10 min.

Abstract: Methods of making containers are provided, including providing a material sheet having at least two barrier layers and at least two polymer layers, forming the material sheet into a tube, sealing the tube at a seal area, and blow molding the tube to form a container in which the at least two barrier layers form a substantially continuous barrier at the seal area.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a container having a body formed by wall or walls with a greater diameter S1 and at least a neck with a diameter S2, container made from a semi-crystalline PET, having a wall thickness of less than 100 ?m, substantially in the middle of its body and having a complex, three dimensional shape convenient for gripping, this part having a diameter S3.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical obturator includes providing an injection mold including a mold cavity defining an outer surface of the optical obturator and a core pin centrally positioned within the mold cavity. The core pin defines an inner surface of the optical obturator. In particular, the core pin may be cantilevered to the injection mold. The method further includes injecting a first material between the core pin and the mold cavity to form the tubular shaft and injecting a second material between a distal portion of the core pin and a distal portion of the mold cavity to form the optical tip.

Abstract: A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The face is configured to provide varying stiffness while minimizing the change in thickness across the face. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball.

Abstract: A semi-finished product produces dental prostheses, in particular abutments, and a method produces a semi-finished product for manufacturing dental prostheses. The semi-finished product includes a base body (GK) which has a channel (KA) passing through the base body (GK), a hollow-cylindrical anchoring element being embodied on the inner surface thereof (IF). The base body (GK) covers the anchoring element (VA) at least partially over the whole area with a thermoplastic synthetic material.

Abstract: A balloon in which a rupture in a circumferential direction can be prevented from occurring, and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The balloon is configured to be arranged on a medical catheter, and includes a dilatable cylindrical portion formed with a birefringent polymer material. A ratio of the number of orientation distributions, calculated by dividing the number of orientation distributions of the cylindrical portion in a circumferential direction by the number of orientation distributions of the cylindrical portion in an axial direction, is less than 2.

Abstract: A cannula assembly having a retention member and a method of manufacture of the cannula assembly is provided. The cannula assembly includes a cannula and a sleeve disposed around the cannula from a proximal end to a distal end. The sleeve can be pre-formed by a stretch blow molding process then advanced over the cannula. The sleeve includes an inflatable balloon and an annular ring distal the inflatable balloon. The cannula includes an annular recess. The annular ring is sized to have an interference fit with the annular recess.

Abstract: A container for holding an article. The container comprises a lamination layer at least partially secured to a base layer, a bottom wall, and a side wall. The bottom wall and the side wall cooperate to at least partially define a cavity of the container with the lamination layer at least partially comprising an interior surface of the container adjacent the cavity. A plurality of score lines extend in the container for at least partially reducing buckling of the lamination layer into the cavity of the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing a polycarbonate resin, comprising performing polycondensation through a transesterification reaction by using a catalyst and using a dihydroxy compound and a carbonic acid diester as raw material monomers, and feeding the produced polycarbonate resin to an extruder, wherein the dihydroxy compound contains at least a dihydroxy compound having a moiety represented by formula (1) in a part of the structure, the dihydroxy compound having a moiety represented by formula (1) contains a compound having a cyclic ether structure, and the temperature at the time of feeding the polycarbonate resin to the extruder is from 180° C. to less than 250° C., with the proviso excluding the case where the moiety represented by formula (1) is a part of —CH2—O—H CH2—O??(1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to pre-consolidate and de-bulk a thermoplastic composite ply stack prior to full consolidation and forming to the final part shape. Pre-consolidation and de-bulking is achieved by heating the ply stack to a temperature below the melting point of the thermoplastic in order to soften the plies, and then compress the ply stack.

Abstract: An aircraft wing cover (10) comprising an integrally stiffened sandwich panel including first and second skins (11, 12) sandwiching a core layer (13), wherein at least one of the skins has a plurality of spanwise extending integral regions of increased thickness (18) accommodated by corresponding regions (19) of decreased thickness in the core. Also, a method of fabricating an aircraft wing cover, and a method of designing an aircraft wing.

Abstract: A fluid storage system for a vehicle includes a splash shield formed to at least partially define a wheel cavity of the vehicle. At least one reservoir structure is integral with the splash shield. The at least one reservoir structure includes an interior cavity defining a volume for storing fluid. The splash shield and reservoir structure can be molded integrally or can be separate parts that are welded or otherwise coupled together.

Abstract: Coated composite materials and methods for their manufacture are described. In particular, embodiments of the present invention include a substrate material coated on at least a portion with a polymer blend comprising from about 50 to about 95 wt % of a propylene-based copolymer comprising propylene and from about 3 to about 40 wt % ethylene-derived units and from about 5 to about 50 wt % of a hydrocarbon resin. The propylene-based copolymer has a melting temperature less than about 110° C., a heat of fusion less than about 75 J/g, and a triad tacticity greater than 75%. The coating compositions are suitable for hot fill applications, soft to the touch and have a low coefficient of friction, low haze, and are able to retain textural design features. Methods for forming such coated composite materials are also provided.

Abstract: A parison for being blow molded into a medical balloon for a catheter includes a first tubular layer having a functional modification and a second tubular layer adapted for bonding with the first tubular layer to form the blow molded balloon. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of molding a wind turbine blade in a mold is provided. The method includes applying a film to an inside surface of a mold, assembling component layers for the wind turbine blade on the film, performing curing to harden the component layers, and subsequently removing the cured wind turbine blade from the mold. Also provided is a film suitable for use in a wind turbine blade molding process and a mold suitable for molding a wind turbine blade.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to methods of making and using films that serve as barriers to atmospheric oxygen. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter pertains to methods of making and using films wherein at least one layer of the film contains a blend of primary and secondary barrier components. The primary barrier component is present in the layer in an amount of from about 65 to 95 weight percent, based on the blend weight, and comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene unit content ranging from 21 to 30 mol %. The secondary barrier component is present in the layer in an amount of from about 5 to 55 weight percent, based on blend weight, and comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene unit content ranging from 41 to 50 mol %.

Abstract: A medical balloon comprising a balloon wall formed from a polymeric material, the balloon wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the balloon wall comprising patterned recesses in the outer surface thereof and flexible circuits disposed within the patterned recesses, the flexible circuits are defined by an outer perimeter, and devices and methods for making the same.

Abstract: A thermoplastic material and an additive that has a relatively low surface tension, allows for blow molding processing conditions that provides containers with a smooth exterior surfaces to enhance aesthetics.

Abstract: A blow molded container including (A) a layer containing an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer as a principal component, in which the layer (A) contains an unsaturated aldehyde, and the content of the unsaturated aldehyde in the layer (A) is 0.01 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less. The unsaturated aldehyde (II) is preferably an unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde. The unsaturated aldehyde (II) is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of crotonaldehyde, 2,4-hexadienal and 2,4,6-octatrienal. The layer (A) preferably contains a conjugated polyene compound, and the content of the conjugated polyene compound in the layer (A) is preferably 0.01 ppm or more and 1,000 ppm or less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as both a rigid lay-up tool and a bladder. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. Next, composite material may be applied onto the SMP apparatus and then placed into a rigid external tool and heated to composite cure temperatures at which the SMP apparatus is malleable. A pressure differential may be induced which urges the SMP apparatus to compress the composite material against the rigid external tool. When the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be urged away from the cured composite material and removed from within the composite part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as a rigid lay-up tool. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. The composite material and/or nested components may be heated and compressed against the SMP apparatus. The SMP apparatus may be configured to remain rigid during the composite cure cycle. Once the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be triggered to a malleable state and urged away from the cured composite material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a hollow fiber reinforced structural member, in particular for air vehicles, comprising the steps of providing a first circular braiding layer, positioning a flat strengthening body comprising at least one fabric layer having warp fibers and a woof fiber against a part of the surface of the first braiding layer, providing a second braiding layer around the first braiding layer and the strengthening body, positioning the combination of the first braiding layer, the strengthening body and the second braiding layer in a mold, impregnating the combination with resin, removing the combination as impregnated with a resin from the mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ducting for a fluid transfer pipeline for an aircraft or spacecraft, an aeronautical structure incorporating it and a method for producing this ducting. The ducting (1) comprises a pipe (2) with a thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomeric layer (4) and a reinforcing layer (5) surmounting it.

Abstract: An essentially biobased and optionally biodegradable, thermoformable composition containing a) as thermoformable resin at least one poly-L-lactide with less than 1 mol % of D-lactoyl units (PLLA) or at least one poly-L-lactide with 1-5 mol % of D-lactoyl units (PLA) and b) a nucleating combination of ?) 1 to 10% Wt. of at least one poly-D-lactide with less than 1 mol % of L-lactoyl-units (PDLA) or of 0.5 to 5% Wt. of PLLA/PDLA or PLA/PDLA stereocomplex crystallites, ?) 0.1 to 25% Wt. of an inorganic nucleating agent, and ?) 0.1 to 30% Wt. of at least an inorganic filler with lamellar structure, and thermoformed, essentially biobased and optionally biodegradable containers formed of the inventive compositions.

Abstract: Valve and method for using it to insert a gas and punch orifices in plastic in molds used for making hollow footwear soles. The valve is linearly actuated, includes a helical spring and a stop such that the valve body head seals against a seat in the valve casing. Its configuration is thus simple, inexpensive and reliable, while the method is efficient as it is performed during the processing cycle of the plastic.

Abstract: A sports racquet having a plurality of string port holes and conventional string holes is formed of a single tube of prepreg material. When molded, mold elements press opposed portions of the prepreg tube into contact with one another, and shape the adjoining prepreg material into a string port hole blanks. The portion of the pressed-together material which initially blocks the string port hole is removed after molding so that the string port holes extend through the frame. Alternatively, the mold elements cause the prepreg tube to follow a serpentine shape, thereby defining string port holes which are open alternately along the top and bottom surface of the frame. A pair of cover rings may be secured to the top and bottom racquet surfaces to cover the open sides of the string port holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating fluid tank (1), in particular a fuel tank composed of plastic having a substantially closed tank body composed of thermoplastic material, preferably based on polyethylene, and having a jacket composed of a multi-layer composite material surrounding at least parts of the tank body.

Abstract: A method facilitates fabricating a cellular cushion. The method comprises injecting material into a mold in an injection molding process to form a cushion first layer that includes a plurality of hollow cells that extend outward from the base and are each coupled together in flow communication, coupling a second layer to the first layer, and coupling an injection stem in flow communication to the plurality of hollow cells to enable an operating pressure within the cells to be changed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing foamed thermoplastic films and trash bags wherein a foaming agent is added to a base thermoplastic resin. The resultant foaming agent/base resin mixture is extruded to form a single-ply foamed thermoplastic film. The film may be formed into bag, such as a trash bag.

Abstract: A method for forming an overmolded container by covering a hollow inner bottle made of resin with an injection of a molten resin which forms an outer. The method comprises steps of setting the inner bottle in a mold with a space therebetween for forming the outer and circulating a pressurized gas into and out of a hollow space of the inner bottle through an upper opening thereof. The pressurized gas is supplied through a first path which opens toward an inner wall of the inner bottle and discharged out of the inner bottle through a second path. The pressurized gas supplied into and discharged out of the inner bottle is adjusted in pressure while the molten resin is being injected to the mold.

Abstract: A hollow body molding device having molten resin injected into a main cavity, fluid is pressure-injected through a pressure port after the injection of molten resin, a floating core moves to the outlet side, the molten resin is extruded from the outlet simultaneously with the movement of the floating core, and a hollow molded body is molded, the hollow body molding device having a floating core storage portion connected to the main cavity and stores the floating core moved by the pressurized fluid, an auxiliary cavity stores molten resin discharged from the main cavity and the floating core storage portion, communication passages and which communicate the floating core storage portion and the auxiliary cavity with each other; and an opening and closing means that opens and closes the communication passages by sliding movement. In the hollow body molding device, each inlet cross-sectional area B of the communication passages is specified.

Abstract: A polyamide resin composition comprising a PA 6/12 (component A), a plasticizer (component B), and a modified polyolefin (component C), the component A comprising units a derived from ?-caprolactam or ?-aminocaproic acid and units b derived from aminododecanoic acid or ?-laurolactam, wherein the content of the units a in the units constituting the component A is 60 to 98% by weight and the content of the units b in the units constituting the component A is 40 to 2% by weight, wherein the content of the component A in the polyamide resin composition is 50 to 98% by weight, the content of the component B in the polyamide resin composition is 20 to 1% by weight, and the content of the component C in the polyamide resin composition is 30 to 1% by weight. The composition can provide various characteristics which are at least equivalent to those of PA 12.

Abstract: A beam of fiber-reinforced curable thermosetting composite material is preliminarily assembled in an uncured condition. The beam is placed between two forming tools, namely a lower and an upper tool, shaped in such a way as to give the lower and upper flanges a predetermined shape, at least one of the flanges having a non-rectilinear profile viewed in a longitudinal vertical plane. Two longitudinally elongate rigid inserts are placed between the flanges at the sides of the web and are covered in respective airtight tubular bags. The spaces between the upper tool and the lower tool on the two opposite longitudinal sides are sealed. The open opposite ends of the tubular bags are also sealed in such a manner that the pressure applied in an autoclave during the step of curing causes the tubular bags to swell and presses them against the two opposite faces of the web and against the flanges of the beam. On completion of curing, the upper forming tool is removed and the inserts are extracted sideways.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as both a rigid tool and as a bladder. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. The composite material may be applied onto the SMP apparatus and then placed into a rigid external mold and heated to composite cure temperatures at which the SMP apparatus is malleable. In some embodiments, an impermeable sheet of material may also be placed over portions of the composite material to compress it against the SMP apparatus. A pressure differential may be induced which urges the SMP apparatus to compress the composite material against the rigid external mold. When the composite material is cured, the pressure differential may be equalized and/or reversed and the malleable SMP apparatus may be removed from within the composite part.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer container excellent in delamination resistance and gas barrier property, which can be manufactured without employing any molding method involving a special apparatus, which increases a production cost, and a complicated step. Specifically, the multi-layer container includes a laminate structure of three or more layers having at least a gas barrier layer between an innermost layer and an outermost layer, in which the gas barrier layer in a site formed of the laminate structure has a portion having a thickness 0.01 to 0.9 times as large as the maximum thickness of the gas barrier layer. Further, provided are a mold suitable for manufacturing the multi-layer container, and a manufacturing method for a multi-layer container using the mold.

Abstract: Systems and methods to dispense various liquids, foams and sprays, of various viscosities, such as, for example, paints and stains, from a self-contained wearable apparatus are presented. These devices use an inner container/outer container technology. A device can be provided that is portable and self-contained, can be worn by a user, and can utilize pre-filled containers of the product to be dispensed, thus obviating use of a separate paint container. Novel performs for the manufacture and blowing of multi-layer bottles are also presented, including an outside layer, and two or more inside layers. The outer layer and the two or more inner containers may each be separately injection molded, or the outer container and one of the inner containers may be 2K molded, thus saving significant manufacturing time and cost.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a medical article that include radial deformation of a polymer tube are disclosed. A medical article, such as an implantable medical device or an inflatable member, may be fabricated from a deformed tube.

Abstract: Polyester compositions described herein have properties which are particularly suitable for extrusion blow molding (EBM). These properties relate primarily to the rate of crystallization and melt strength or melt viscosity. Articles prepared from the polyester compositions exhibit good clarity, aesthetics, and other physical properties. The polyester compositions also exhibit broad molecular weight distribution (MWD), resulting in improved processability and melt strength. The crystallization rate allows for good drying characteristics while also enabling the use of regrind. In addition, the compositions exhibit improved recyclability, such as in existing PET recycling streams. In one aspect, articles are prepared in an extrusion blow molding method by combining a dry first polyester copolymer component, a dry second polyester component, and a chain extender to form a feed material suitable for extrusion blow molding.