Abstract: The cleaning process of cleaning an imprinting mold including a release layer coupled via siloxane bonds to a substrate of that release layer includes a first cleaning step and a second cleaning step. In the first cleaning step, the angle of contact of the surface of the release layer with water is made small, and in the second cleaning step, the alkali cleaning agent is brought in contact with the release layer that has gone through the first cleaning step.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which transfers a pattern of a mold onto a resin applied on a substrate, including a structure including a mold chuck which holds the mold, a first measurement unit configured to measure a position of a reference portion of the structure, a second measurement unit configured to measure a position of the mold with respect to the reference portion, and a controller configured to control a relative positional relationship between the mold and the substrate, based on the measurement result obtained by the first measurement unit and the measurement result obtained by the second measurement unit, the second measurement unit including a head formed on the mold chuck, and measuring the position of the mold with respect to the reference portion by reading a scale formed on the mold by the head.

Abstract: Examples of methods and systems for laser processing of materials are disclosed. Methods and systems for singulation of a wafer comprising a coated substrate can utilize a laser outputting light that has a wavelength that is transparent to the wafer substrate but which may not be transparent to the coating layer(s). Using techniques for managing fluence and focal condition of the laser beam, the coating layer(s) and the substrate material can be processed through ablation and internal modification, respectively. The internal modification can result in die separation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a manufacturing method includes performing lithography processes for manufacturing a semiconductor device that includes a three-dimensional stacked device. The stacked device includes layers stacked above a substrate. Each of the layers includes a device circuit. The lithography processes include a lithography process for forming a lower layer of the layers by using a first original plate that has quality not less than a certain level. The first original plate is selected from original plates. Each of the original plates includes a pattern corresponding to the device circuit. The original plates are ranked according to quality based on defect. The lithography processes further include a lithography process for forming a higher layer of the layers by using a second original plate that has quality lower than the certain level. The second original plate is selected from the original plates.

Abstract: An apparatus which accurately detects breakage of a tempered glass panel in an encapsulation die during a glass encapsulation process and rapidly reacts to the detection of such breakage to interrupt the encapsulation process, thus minimizing damage to the encapsulation die, and by so doing, reducing process downtime. A method of utilizing the apparatus is also a part of the invention.

Abstract: Each platform mounted mold assembly for plastic tubing includes a circuit board containing parameters defining elements of the forming, molding, tipping or welding operation to be undertaken on the tubing. A control unit includes an RF generator for providing the RF energy to effect the forming, molding, tipping or welding process, a source of air under pressure to operate the mechanical elements attendant each mold assembly, various sensors and a multiplex unit. In operation, the control unit serially addresses each of the mold assemblies, senses the parameters attendant the mold and applies the appropriate power level of RF energy for a specific duration and temperature while activating the mechanical aspects of the mold assembly. The mold assemblies may be serially activated through a multiplex unit or in a particular sequence that may be operator controlled.

Abstract: Stereolithography systems (10) and methods using internal laser modulation are disclosed. The system includes an internally modulated diode-pumped frequency-multiplied solid-state (DPFMSS) laser 40. There is no external modulation system (EMS) within an external optical path (OPE) between the laser and a scanning system (80). The scanning system directs a laser beam (72) with laser pulses (72P) to a focus position (FP) on surface (23) of a build material (22) to form bullets (25) therein to define a build layer (30) based on build instructions for forming a three-dimensional object (32).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a press furnace, in particular for dental materials, with an embedding compound into which the preferably ceramic dental material can be introduced via a press ram (26), the speed of penetration of the press ram (26) being detected, wherein, during the pressing operation, an increase in the speed of penetration and/or a decrease is detected, and, based on this, a signal is output.

Abstract: A directional conductivity nanocomposite material, apparatuses and processes for making such material are generally described. A directional conductivity nanocomposite material may comprise a supporting material such as ceramic or polymer, with directionally conductive nanorod structures running through the supporting material. The material may be made by orienting nanorods in an electrophoretic gel using an electrical or magnetic field to align the nanorods, removing the gel, reinforcing the nanorods, and flowing in supporting material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for maintaining the inflation level of a bubble formed by nips in a moving roll of tubular film, to form a gusset in a final product produced from the film.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for an optical waveguide structure including a clad structure having grooves in a curved surface thereof and a clad film attached to the curved surface includes a clad film shape retaining portion that has a curved surface along which the clad film is held. a position checking portion that checks the position of the clad film on the clad film shape retaining portion, and a first position adjusting portion that adjusts the position of the clad film shape retaining portion so that the clad film on the clad film shape retaining portion is disposed at a reference position while checking the position of the clad film with the position checking portion.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a system having an injection molding assembly mold including a stationary section and moveable section, the stationary section having a channel assembly, one or more nozzle and a mold cavity, the mold further having a sensor unit array, the sensor unit array comprising one or more sensor unit. The system can include one or more processing circuit that utilizes an output of the one or more sensor unit for determining a condition prevailing within the injection molding assembly.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus transfers a pattern formed on a mold to a resin on a substrate. The imprint apparatus includes a shape correction mechanism configured to apply a force to the mold to thereby deform a pattern region formed on the mold; a heating mechanism configured to heat a substrate-side pattern region formed on the substrate to thereby deform the substrate-side pattern region; and a control unit configured to obtain information regarding a difference between shapes of the pattern region formed on the mold and the substrate-side pattern region and control the shape correction mechanism and the wafer heating mechanism so as to reduce the difference between the shapes of the pattern region formed on the mold and the substrate-side pattern region based on the obtained information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling concrete vibration is disclosed. The apparatus includes a global positioning sensor adapted to provide a location of a vibrator relative to a concrete structure, a recording device adapted to record data during vibration of the concrete, and a data transmission device adapted to transmit the data to a processor for analysis of the data to determine if the vibration is in compliance. The vibrator is adapted to vibrate the concrete to remove air contained therein and promote concrete consolidation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for making perforations in a packaging material, in particular a polymer film (2), comprising a conveyor for transporting the material (2) along a path through the apparatus (1), a laser device (7) with adjustable focal point, and an in-line optical detector (8) for measuring one or more parameters of the perforations made with the beam. The apparatus further comprises a controller (10) connected to the laser device (7) and the detector (8) and arranged to adjust the focal point of the laser device (7) based on the parameter(s).

Abstract: A powder removing apparatus includes a box, a stage moving mechanism, and a powder removing processing mechanism. The box has a main body with an opening and a stage movably provided in the main body. The box is capable of accommodating a molded object and non-bonding powder so as to arrange the molded object, which is formed using powder according to a rapid prototyping technique, on the stage together with the non-bonding powder. The stage moving mechanism is capable of moving the stage upward relative to the main body inside the main body. The powder removing processing mechanism is configured to remove the non-bonding powder existing around the molded object extruded by a driving operation of the stage moving mechanism via the opening.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus for spinning polymer fibers from a fluid delivered by a jet supply device, which apparatus comprises at least one collector of a plurality of collectors in electrical communication with an electrode of the jet supply device. Collectors are insulated from each other. At least one collector comprises a stretcher adapted to stretch polymer fibers. The stretcher is an integral part of at least one collector. A controller controls sequence and time duration at which collectors are in electrical communication with the electrode of the jet supply device creating a non-woven polymer fabric or weaving polymer fibers into a fabric. The electrospinning apparatus comprises a rotator adapted to rotate the stretcher.

Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for the production of a polyimide film, which allow a polyimide film having physical properties with in-plane uniformity to be produced with high productivity. In the method for the production of a polyimide film, a solvent content of a self-supporting film is measured by infrared spectroscopy, and based on the measurement result, one or more kinds selected from a drying condition of a cast of a polyimide precursor solution, a post-heating condition of the self-supporting film, and an amount of extrusion of a polyimide precursor solution from a die are controlled.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pattern forming method includes: applying a curing resin onto a substrate to be processed; bringing a pattern forming template having concave-convex shaped pattern grooves on the surface into contact with the curing resin, to fill the pattern groove with the curing resin; curing the curing resin; and releasing the pattern forming template from the curing resin, to form a pattern of the curing resin on the substrate to be processed. Further, in the pattern forming method, before application of the curing resin, positional information of a foreign object present on the substrate to be processed is measured and stored, and the foreign object is then removed based on the stored positional information of the foreign object.

Abstract: A mold clamping device includes a first fixed member to which a stationary mold is to be attached; a first movable member to which a movable mold is to be attached; a second movable member configured to move together with the first movable member; a second fixed member provided between the first movable member and the second movable member; a mold clamping force generating mechanism configured to generate a mold clamping force due to an electromagnetic force between the second movable member and the second fixed member; and a mold clamping force amplifying mechanism configured to amplify the mold clamping force generated by the mold clamping force generating mechanism.

Abstract: A method for producing a molded product consisting of a resin polymerized by a melt polycondensation reaction, comprising continuous feeding of a prepolymer in molten state from a prepolymer feeding port to a polymerization reactor, discharging from holes of a porous plate, followed by polymerization while dropping along a supporting substrate under reduced pressure, and molding by transferring to at least one molding machine in molten state without solidification, wherein transfer pressure to said molding machine is controlled so as to maintain at an arbitrary pressure from 0.1 to 100 MPa (absolute pressure).

Abstract: The imprint apparatus of the present invention molds and cures a resin on a substrate using a mold to thereby form a pattern of the cured resin on the substrate. In this case, the resin is a mixture of an ultraviolet curable resin that is cured by receiving ultraviolet light and a luminescent material that fluoresces or phosphoresces by receiving ultraviolet light. The imprint apparatus further includes a light-emission detecting unit configured to detect light emitted from the luminescent material. After the mold is released from the ultraviolet curable resin, which is mixed with the luminescent material, on the substrate, the light-emission detecting unit detects light emitted from a residual resin that remains in a concave and convex portion of the pattern formed on the mold.

Abstract: PET drying apparatus for a machine used to produce PET bottles, comprising a unit in which the raw plastic is dried, before the plastic melting process, in which the PET is heated by using microwave energy and the PET is dehumidified by the outflow of the vented air that is recovered after the blowing process.

Abstract: A pattern transfer apparatus for pressing a mold having a fine concave/convex pattern onto a transferred material, peeling off the mold from the transferred material, and transferring the concave/convex pattern onto a surface of the transferred material includes: a pretreatment mechanism configured to perform a predetermined surface treatment to at least one of the mold and the transferred material before the concave/convex pattern is transferred; an information recording mechanism configured to record information of the surface treatment performed by the pretreatment mechanism at a position associated with an area of the transferred material where the concave/convex pattern is transferred onto the area; an interpretation mechanism configured to read the recorded information; and an after-treatment mechanism configured to perform a predetermined after-treatment to the area where the concave/convex pattern is transferred, based on the information interpreted by the interpretation mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring an electrical heating apparatus and to a corresponding apparatus. The electrical heating apparatus has at least one heating element. A measured value, which is dependent on the resistance and/or the inductance of the electrical heating element, is measured, the measurement being carried out by means of the measured value being sampled. Owing to the use of sampled values, the measurement process can be shortened.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus which brings a resin on a substrate into contact with a pattern surface of a mold and cures the resin, includes a substrate holder which holds the substrate, a mold holder which holds the mold with a mold holding surface, a driving mechanism which moves the substrate holder relative to the mold holder, and a controller which controls the driving mechanism such that the substrate holder moves relative to the mold holder while the substrate holder holds a cleaning member instead of the substrate, and the cleaning member is in contact with the mold holding surface, thereby cleaning the mold holding surface.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to form a sheet of polymeric material have first and second mold halves which clamp together on a polymeric sheet. A vacuum mechanism draws the sheet into an interior space. The vacuum mechanism has a plurality of controllable vacuum ports positioned about the interior space to direct the vacuum at specific portions of the sheet. Also, the sensing mechanism determines the draw depth of the sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus 200 for forming a composite component is disclosed, the apparatus comprising: a deformable mould tool 204 that at least partially defines a mould cavity 212; an interface layer 222 formed on an external surface of the mould tool 204; and at least two peristaltic actuators 206, mounted to contact the interface layer 222 and to generate a peristaltic pressure wave in the mould tool 204. The peristaltic actuators may comprise rollers 206, pistons 306 or bi-metallic blocks 406. A method of forming a composite component is also disclosed, the method employing a mould tool 204 that at least partially defines a mould cavity 212. The method comprises: placing reinforcing fibres into the mould cavity 212, forcing a matrix material into the mould cavity 212 through the reinforcing fibres, and generating a peristaltic pressure wave within the mould tool 204 during forcing of the matrix material into the mould cavity 212.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus, for molding a resin on a substrate using a mold on which a pattern is formed and releasing the mold from the resin to transfer the pattern onto the substrate, includes a charge removing device configured to remove a charge of the mold, and a detector configured to detect an electric potential of the mold. The charge removing device is configured to remove the charge of the mold if the electric potential of the mold detected by the detector is not less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for assembling polymer-forming molecular components such that highly-structured arrays of polymer strands, such as collagen fibrils, are formed without the need for cells. A polymer nanoloom is designed to control the self-assembly of monomers into fibrils and related tissue constructs including ligament, tendon, cartilage, and bone. A nanoloom system comprises a polymer printhead, a temperature controller, and a movable substrate for polymer printing. A polymer printhead contains one or more nanoreactors that can control the assembly of collagen fibrils or other polymers on a nanoscale. Methods are provided for temperature-driven, enzyme-driven, and cholesteric assembly of collagen or other polymers into two- or three-dimensional tissue constructs.

Abstract: A device for the production of a three-dimensional object made of solidifiable material has at least one processing unit for processing of the solidifiable material into a fluid phase in order to discharge the material from a material reservoir via a discharge unit in the direction of a construction space in the form of discrete drops. The closing mechanism has an elastic deformable solid body joint.

Abstract: The compact resin molding machine is capable of efficiently performing a sequence of molding actions from feeding a work and resin to accommodating the molded work. The resin molding machine comprises: a work conveying mechanism including a robot, which has a robot hand for holding the work and which is capable of rotating and linearly moving; a work feeding section for feeding the work; a resin feeding section for feeding the resin; a press section including a molding die set, in which the work is resin-molded; a work accommodating section for accommodating the molded work; and a control section controlling the entire resin molding machine. The work feeding section, the resin feeding section, the press section and the work accommodating section are located to enclose a moving area of the robot of the work conveying mechanism.

Abstract: A device and method for secure check processing in a paper check scanning device that scans the identification encoding characters on the surface of a paper check, creating an electronically digitized record of the scanned physical identification indicators, transmitting the digitized record of the indicators to a verification unit, and awaiting validation and acceptance of the digitized record. The digitized record may be validated and accepted either through an electronic processing system or manually by human validation personnel. After the digitized record has been accepted the acceptance notification is sent to the check scanner. Upon receipt of the validation and acceptance of the digitized record of the paper check, the secure check scanner moves the paper check into position and the encoded identification characters on the paper check are altered by removing the area of the paper check containing the identification characters to render the paper check unscannable.

Abstract: When controlling each operational process in a molding cycle by variably controlling the number of revolutions of a drive motor 3 in a hydraulic pump 2, a hydraulic pump 2 where at least multiple fixed discharge flow rate Qo and Qs can be set is used as the hydraulic pump 2. At the same time, the fixed discharge flow rates Qo . . . are set corresponding to operational processes based upon predetermined conditions in advance, respectively, and the hydraulic pump 2 is switched to the fixed discharge flow rates Qo . . . by corresponding to each operational process at the time of molding. At the same time, each operational process is controlled by variably controlling the number of revolutions of the drive motor 3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging method for packing plastic injection moulded parts (9) designed as pipette tips or medical reaction vessels, including the following steps: simultaneously removing K plastic injection moulded parts (9) from K cavities (3), and depositing the plastic injection moulded parts (9) in an intermediate storage (5) and loading V packaging units (8), each having A plastic injection moulded parts (9), from the intermediate storage (5).

Abstract: A method of improving energy consumption and/or melt quality of injection molding or extrusion machine can include controlling energy input to the melt from screw drive and heat sources. One or more sensors can measure a present value of at least one process parameter associated with the melt. A control algorithm can compare the present value of melt with a set value. If the present value deviates from the set value by more than a predetermined amount, the set value of at least one operating parameter can be adjusted. The algorithm can determine energy transferred to melt material from thermal and mechanical sources, and adjust set values to optimize energy consumption. Process parameters can include melt temperature, melt quality characterized value, prospective throughput or injection cycle time, or prospective energy consumption value. Operating parameters can include barrel heating temperature, screw rotational speed, screw plasticizing back pressure, screw injection speed or screw injection pressure.

Abstract: Active texturing systems adapted for selectively and reversibly modifying the texture of a surface utilizing a variably foldable structure in communication with the surface, and active material actuation to enable and/or cause folding.

Abstract: A system for a thermal manufacturing system including a heliostat and a mold. The heliostat includes at least one reflecting surface, a steering mechanism and a controller. The steering mechanism is coupled to the at least one reflecting surface and capable of directing at least a first portion of the at least one reflecting surface toward a first one of multiple, selectable focal points. The mold is located in a second one of the selectable focal points. A manufacturing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect a mark formed on the mold and a mark formed on the substrate corresponding to a target transfer position, and a control unit configured to obtain information indicating relative position between a mark formed on the mold and a mark formed on the substrate corresponding to the target transfer position. The detection unit detects a mark formed on the mold and a mark formed on the substrate corresponding to the target transfer position, in a state where position of the mold and the substrate is aligned. The control unit performs alignment between the mold and the substrate so that the relative position when the mold and the transfer material are in contact with each other at the target transfer position in the state.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical thread position detection device (1) for detecting the rotational position of threads (2) of containers (3). The thread position detection device (1) comprises at least an optical detector (4a, 4b) and a positioning device (6) for the defined orientation of a longitudinal axis (L) of the containers (3) relative to the detector (4a,b), the positioning device (6) and a defined coupling area (8a,b,c) of the container (3) being connectable to one another. According to the invention the optical detector (4a,b), without coming into contact, registers items of information on at least one relative rotational position of at least one thread portion (2a), the processor device serving to generate data on the rotational position of the container, incorporating a defined reference variable and the items of information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing hinged closures out of plastic. The device (1) has a prismatic central block (3) which can be rotated about a rotational axis (2), said block being arranged between a first and a second molding plate (4, 5). The first and the second molding plates (4, 5) are movable in relation to the central block (3) in a first direction, and in a closed position, form a plurality of cavities in the area of a first and a second parting plane. The device has a handling system (14) used to remove and transport the hinged closures onto a capping device (16) in accordance with their layout.

Abstract: A rotary molding system for molding food products, mold cavities formed when a mold shell rotates mold shapes disposed along the mold shell into a fill position between a fill plate and a wear plate. Molded food products are removed from mold cavities using knock-out cups, the use of air pressure, or the use of a vacuum source disposed below the mold cavity, without the need to slow the rotation of the mold shell. Knock-out cups may be used with a heating system to reduce accumulation of unwanted materials on the knock-out cups. The rotary molding system can also be used to form products with contoured surfaces. A smart tagging system can be used to ensure that compatible sets of mold shells and knock out cups are being used. A vacuum region may be disposed upstream of the fill position to remove air within the mold cavity prior to filling.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pattern forming method includes transferring a first pattern area of a plurality of pattern areas to a to-be-processed substrate, by using a template on which the plurality of pattern areas, where patterns are formed on a substrate, are disposed, counting up a number of times of transfer of the first pattern area, and storing the number of times of transfer, determining whether the stored number of times of transfer of the pattern of the first pattern area has exceeded a specified number, and executing switching to a second pattern of the plurality of pattern areas when it is determined, at a time of the determining, that the stored number of times of transfer of the pattern of the first pattern area has exceeded the specified number, and transferring the second pattern area to the to-be-processed substrate.

Abstract: An extrusion control system for use with one or more extruders has a data acquisition module in communication with one or more data acquisition nodes that are associated with an extrusion process. A control module is also in communication with one or more control nodes associated the extrusion process. A synchronization signal to one or more control nodes causes the nodes to adjust to a predetermined setting.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for producing a three-dimensional object, comprising: providing a material to be solidified, the material comprising a filler and a binder; delivering electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation in a pattern or an image to a building region for solidifying said material; wherein said delivering of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is performed selectively to a defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; and wherein an energy density of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is varied within said pattern or image and/or between patterns or images of different building regions of said material. The present invention may be directed also to a system where different first and second materials are to be solidified.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus and methodology is described that produces medical devices, such as scaffolds that induce the formation of a natural fibrous structure (primarily collagen and elastin) in a tissue-engineered medical device. The apparatus uses collection surfaces designed to manipulate or change the electrostatic field so that the electrospun fibers are arranged in desirable patterns that are similar to or mimic the fibrillar structure of an animal tissue. The manipulation results in fibers that are preferentially oriented in a predefined pattern. In addition, the interfiber space between the fibers and the fiber diameter are consistently within a predefined range. Using these techniques in conjunction with controlling polymer properties enables the production of a scaffold that has the structural and mechanical characteristics similar to the native tissue.

Abstract: A monitor for maintaining a mold cycle count and other mold operation data and a corresponding system that generates a first remote record of the mold cycle data and a second remote record of the mold cycle data, the second remote record comprising a lesser, different and/or non-confidential version of the first remote record. The first remote record and the second remote record may then be coordinated among an OEM manufacturer, a moldmaker and a molder.

Abstract: A system for building a three-dimensional object with a layer-based additive technique, the system comprising a controller configured to receive build sequence data for the three-dimensional object, a head assembly in signal communication with the controller and configured to form a plurality of layers of the three-dimensional object based on the build sequence data, and an insert placement apparatus in signal communication with the controller and configured to place at least one insert in the plurality of formed layers based on the build sequence data.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of injection molding machines is provided with clamp plates fixed on platens and a plurality of magnet units to generate magnetic force for fixing a mold to the clamp plate fitted on the clamp plates; and the plurality of injection molding machines are provided with a plurality of common connectors having the same structure, each of which is electrically connected to the magnetic unit, a molding machine control unit and a power source device; and the mold fixing system comprises a set of operation control units to be shared by the plurality of injection molding machines, and when a mold is to be exchanged in any of the injection molding machines, the plurality of magnet units are switched to the non-adsorbing state or the adsorbing state via the operation control unit in the state where the operation control unit is connected to the common connector of the injection molding machine.