Abstract: A catheter balloon is formed from a mold process with a circumferential demarcation is formed on the outer surface using a groove or ridge on the mold surface. The demarcation is located at the transition between the body portion of the catheter balloon and the neck or taper section. The presence of the demarcation serves to identify the transition between the two regions for placing and positioning a visual marker inside the balloon.

Abstract: An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed which includes a pattern fixing system configured to use actinic radiation to fix a pattern provided in a layer of imprintable medium by an imprint lithography template, and an inspection system configured to use inspection radiation to inspect an element constituting or, in use, being located within, the imprint lithography apparatus. The imprint lithography apparatus is configured such that the pattern fixing system and the inspection system are provided, in use, with, respectively, actinic radiation and inspection radiation from a single source of radiation.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a mold includes at least one plate and a storage device supported at the at least one plate. The storage device stores electronic information associated with the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing optical elements at wafer level includes a lower mold core, an upper mold core, an aligning plate and an image pick-up device. The lower mold core has a lower alignment mark. The upper mold core has an upper alignment mark. The aligning plate has a first middle alignment mark corresponding to the lower alignment mark and a second middle alignment mark corresponding to the upper alignment mark. The image pick-up device is configured for capturing and analyzing images of the alignment marks to align the lower mold core, the aligning plate and the upper mold core.

Abstract: An automated removal and insertion machine for mold drawers operable with a molding machine is described. The machine includes a frame, a plurality of actuators mounted within the frame, a plurality of encoders, a plurality of electromagnetic effectors, and a controller. The actuators are operable in a substantially horizontal direction for removal and insertion of molds with respect to the molding machine, and movable within the frame in a substantially vertical direction. At least one of the encoders is operably attached to each of the actuators for providing data indicative of a position of the respective said actuators. At least one electromagnetic effector is attached to a terminal end of each of the actuators for engagement with a respective mold. The controller is operable to control movement of the actuators in the substantially horizontal direction and further operable for controlling power applied to the electromagnetic effectors.

Abstract: An integrated machine for making, in laboratory, slabs made of a controlled-compaction bituminous mix in a mould and for making wheel tracking tests on the same, the compaction is performed by two idle disks which slide and press the side extensions of an array of vertical plates overlapping the mix, the wheel tracking test is performed by a wheel located between the disks; after having removed the array of plates, the wheel can be presented to the mix, since the disks are located at a distance greater than the mould width.

Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided with a power transmission mechanism including a plurality of drive units configured to convert a rotary motion into a linear motion and a motor configured to drive the drive units. Strain sensors are affixed individually to respective supporting members for the drive units. An abnormality signal indicative of the occurrence of an abnormality in the power transmission mechanism is output if the absolute value of the difference between a strain value read by one of the strain sensors and a strain value read by another strain sensor is greater than a previously set value.

Abstract: A measuring device for determining at least one parameter value for the operation of a blow molding machine, a filling machine, and/or a labeling device, and having at least one measuring element for determining the at least one parameter value and a preform dummy, and disposing the at least one measuring element in and/or at the preform dummy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a composite part are provided. One method includes cutting a material into a plurality of pieces and marking each of the plurality of pieces of material with a unique indicium. This method also includes placing one of the pieces of material in a mold cavity, detecting a signal from the indicium on the piece of material, and verifying that the piece of material was placed in the mold cavity in the correct location based on the signal from the indicium. The placing, detecting, and verifying steps are performed for each of the plurality of pieces of material. The pieces of material are then molded together to form the composite part.

Abstract: The particle size distribution of a first fly ash is compared to an ideal particle size distribution that was empirically developed to provide a resin melt with a lower viscosity as more fly ash is added. A second fly ash material is similarly compared to the ideal curve and then is blended or optimized to provide an optimum filler for use with a suitable resin or similar material. Additional fly ash materials may be similarly compared and blended. Additional additives may be added for, among other things, foaming and coloration.

Abstract: The principle of the present disclosure is the device for production of nanofibres through electrostatic spinning of polymer matrix in a spinning space, in which against each other there is positioned a collecting electrode and a spinning electrode, between which an electric field of high intensity is induced. Next to this, in the spinning space there is arranged at least one electrical device which is coupled with winding of a transformer (8, 11), which is insulated for high voltage, while the second winding of transformer (8, 11) is connected to the device for generating and/or evaluating of electric voltage pulses positioned outside the spinning space.

Abstract: A system for moulding three-dimensional products from a mass of one or more food starting materials which are suitable for consumption, in particular human consumption, has a production device having a frame, a mould member provided with at least one mould cavity, the frame supporting the mould member, mass feed means for feeding the mass to the one or more mould cavities of the mould member. The system also has at least one cleaning device for cleaning one or more parts of the production device which come into contact with the mass. The mould member is removable from the frame. The system has a storage device for storing a plurality of mould members, which may be provided with an identification, has recognition means for recognizing the identification of a mould member, and may have a memory for storing at least one history of a mould member.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for measuring in real-time the moisture content of a ceramic-forming batch material to be extruded to form a ceramic article. The system includes a moisture-content-measurement (MCM) system that measures optical absorbance. Material-specific batch calibration samples can be used to calibrate optical absorption measurements to accurate moisture-content measurements. Because the surface of the batch material tends to dry during the extrusion process, a batch-material-removal (BMR) device is used to remove or displace batch surface material so that the moisture content of the underlying batch material can be measured.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate according to an embodiment includes carrying out an imprint processing that transfer a pattern formed in a template onto a flowable material disposed on a semiconductor substrate so as to obtain a transfer pattern, and at least one processing selected from the group consisting of an inspection processing of an semiconductor substrate, an applying processing of a separating material and an inspection-cleaning processing in parallel in the same processing chamber.

Abstract: An injection molding machine (1) having a stack mold (2) for producing injection molded parts comprises a fixed exterior molding part (3), a central block (5), as well as a mobile exterior molding part (4), with molding cavities being formed between the molding areas (9a, 9b) at the interior sides of the exterior molding parts (3, 4) and molding areas (10a, 10b) at opposite exterior sides of the central block (5). The central block (5) is supported rotationally or pivotally and at two exterior surfaces, adjacent to each other in the rotational or pivotal direction, molding areas (10a) are provided for first partial pre-molds (8a, 8c, 8e) and at the two other exterior surfaces, adjacent to each other, molding areas (10b) for second partial pre-molds (8b, 8d).

Abstract: A system for automating the casting of concrete panels in which a bed position indicator is fed to a program which compares the bed position to CAD drawings concerning the concrete to be cast and sends the drawing detail for the position of the bed which is then shown on the bed by a laser.

Abstract: Disclosed is an injection moulding machine, comprising an extruder for continuously producing a melt of a desiccant-filled polymer; at least one injection device fluidly connected with the extruder by a first conduit to receive melt and including an injection ram movable to a forward position for injection of melt into an injection mould and a rear position for introduction of melt into the injection device; characterized in that the injection moulding machine further comprises a sensor which allows determination of the viscosity or melt flow index of the desiccant-filled polymer. Further disclosed is a method of operating such a compounder-type injection moulding machine.

Abstract: A method of performing dissolution analysis on a tablet, the method comprising: irradiating a tablet with radiation having at least one frequency in the range from 40 GHz to 100 THz; detecting radiation which has been transmitted through or reflected by the tablet; determining a parameter from the detected radiation indicative of the density of a coating layer of the tablet; and determining information about the dissolution characteristics of the tablet from said parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for quality control of a process to produce concrete goods products. The quality control is effected on the basis of measurements that are carried out on the concrete goods products in an intermediate step of the process after shaping and compacting in the fresh concrete phase. Measurement values are determined on a test fresh concrete product from the intermediate step of the process, which measurement values comprise a measure of the bulk density and the gas permeability of the test fresh concrete product. Subsequently, an estimated value for a quality measure of the hardened concrete product is determined on the basis of a predetermined predictive model. The predictive model relates the measurement values of fresh concrete products from the intermediate step of the process to the quality measure of the corresponding hardened concrete products.

Abstract: A plastic lens molding tool, including: a first mirror surface block; a second mirror surface block disposed opposite the first block, wherein the first mirror surface block includes a transfer surface with a curvature-radius center position that is transferable to an optical element; a first nested block arranged in contact with the first mirror surface block to form a reference rib groove on a border surface between the first mirror surface block and the first nested block; and a second nested block arranged in contact with the first mirror surface block at a side opposite the first nested block.

Abstract: A press-forming device includes a punch and a die, as a mold to be measured, and a strain measurement means arranged within the mold and measuring a strain amount generated by press-forming. The strain measurement means is positioned at the press-direction side relative to a radius end of a die shoulder on the material flow-out side when the mold is positioned at a lower dead point of press-forming. The strain measurement means is preferably positioned within a region defined by a surface which is away from the center of curvature of a curved surface of the mold by the distance ten times R, where R is a curvature radius of the curved surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of pressing pressing-material mats during the production of wood-material panels in a continuous press, wherein the continuous press has upper and lower heating plates, upper and lower entry plates, which project on the entry side and form an entry mouth, and, in the upper and lower parts of the press, endlessly circulating steel pressing belts which, with the interposition of rolling bars, are supported on the entry plates and the heating plates, wherein the height h0 of the entry gap and, possibly, the entry contour of the entry mouth are set, and wherein a pressing-material mat, which is produced, and possibly pretreated, in a spreading station arranged upstream of the press, is introduced into the continuous press and pressed therein. This method is characterized in that the entry-gap height is checked, set and/or regulated in dependence on the density and/or the weight per unit area of the pressing-material mat.

Abstract: A tire has at least one tread wear indicator. Each wear indicator is a single mark that provides continuous information to the consumer, while changing its presentation based upon the amount of tread wear. The mold blade employed to form the ear indicator has a series of stacked portions, each portion having a different configuration, the configuration being constant for the length of each portion.

Abstract: An optical cable is manufactured in a single continuous process starting directly from at least an optical preform, by means of a fiber/cable integrated manufacturing line including a fiber(s) drawing assembly for the production of one or more optical fibers from respective optical preforms, and a cabling assembly for producing the optical cable from the optical fiber(s), the cabling assembly comprising a fiber buffering assembly for the application of a loose or tight coating to the optical fiber(s), and a strengthening and sheathing sub-assembly for applying one or more reinforcing and protective layers to the buffered optical fiber(s).

Abstract: A machine for treating or processing a conveyable material, particularly a free-flowing or pasty material or a bulk material comprises at least one passage section having at least one passage through which the conveyable material, which is to be treated or processed, can be conveyed along a direction of conveyance. The at least one passage section forms at least one partial area of a channel of the machine and is mounted so that it can move in relation to this channel. This at least one passage section is coupled to at least one source, which is provided for effecting oscillations and by means of which the passage section can be set in mechanical oscillatory motion with regard to the channel of the machine.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus and method for detecting deformation of a fixed mold plate of an injection molding machine. The apparatus includes a mounting member and an elastic member that is received in the through hole of the mounting member and generally positioned at the center thereof. The apparatus also has a contacting member that is received in the through hole and positioned near or at the first end surface, and a sliding member that is slidably received in the through hole near or at the second end surface. A blocking member is attached to the second end surface of the mounting member. A pressure sensor is fixed between the blocking member and the contacting member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article fabrication system having a plurality of material deposition tools containing one or more materials useful in fabricating the article, and a material deposition device having a tool interface for receiving one of the material deposition tools. A system controller is operably connected to the material deposition device to control operation of the material deposition device. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating an article using the system of the invention and a method of fabricating a living three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A method of detecting leakage from a preform used in a VARTM process includes providing a mold and bagging film suitable for use in the VARTM process; heating air; distributing hot air along an interface between an the bagging film and a surface of the mold; determining a temperature distribution along the interface; and using the temperature distribution to locate one or more leaks in the bagging film.

Abstract: Production device including a press, a conveyor (4) intended to transport pellets from the press to a sintering area, means (26) for transferring pellets from the press to the conveyor (4), and means for inspecting at least one nuclear fuel pellet at the exit of a press, said inspection means including means (20) for identifying each pellet according to its die of origin.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for continuously molding chocolate are disclosed, including a method and apparatus for removing flash from chocolate pieces and products (both molded and otherwise); and a manifold for continuously providing liquid chocolate to a continuous mold and directing excess liquid chocolate away.

Abstract: A stationary platen unit and a movable platen unit each include a platen body, a load transmission portion, a die fixing plate, and a backup member. The backup member is located between the platen body and the die fixing plate. The backup member is movable between a first position in which it is in contact with both the die fixing plate and the platen body and a second position in which it is separate from the die fixing plate and/or the platen body. When a large die set is attached to the die fixing plate, the backup member is situated in the first position. When a small die set is attached to the die fixing plate, the backup member is moved to the second position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to preventing mold feeder jams in a system to package integrated circuits. An example method includes detecting if a mold compound tablet has a first alignment on a path and removing the mold compound tablet from the path if the mold compound tablet has a second alignment different from the first alignment.

Abstract: A device and a process for the injection of a filling material in a boat comprising a plurality of separate chambers. The filling material is prepared in a plurality of distinct preparation and injection units, corresponding in number to the number of chambers to be filled, and is then injected simultaneously into the chambers.

Abstract: The cross-sectional shape data of a three-dimensional model is divided according to work small areas obtained by dividing a work entire area where optical shaping work is performed into a plurality of areas, and work small area data which is cross-sectional shape data corresponding to said work small areas is generated. Also, the work small area data is enlarged with offset width based on the contracting ratio of a light hardening resin, and areas, which are wider than the work small areas on the surface of the light hardening resin by the offset width, are subjected to one-shot exposure based on the enlarged work small area data to form a hardening layer for each of the work small areas. The present invention can be applied to, for example, an optical shaping apparatus.

Abstract: An extrusion construction system may include an extrusion nozzle, a channeling element coupled to the extrusion nozzle and to a source of construction material, the channeling element configured to transport the material to the extrusion nozzle for extruding the material onto a surface, wherein a surface of the channeling element comprises a transparent substrate such that a flow of the material is viewable through the substrate, an imaging device configured to capture a plurality of images through the substrate of the material flow, and a controller configured to estimate a flow rate based on the plurality of images.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for the molding of articles made of plastic material with two components by means of a stack-mold press with a first cavity and a second cavity for the injection of the plastic material and the possible compression of the injected plastic material, in which the moulds and the countermolds of the apparatus define respective mutually facing surfaces. Parameters indicating the mutual parallelism between said facing surfaces are detected, and the closing assembly for closing the press is controlled according to the parameters detected.

Abstract: An exemplary method for marking molds, the method comprising, configuring a milling machine to operate with a diamond coated bit having an angle of approximately 60 degrees, and engraving a unique identifier on a bottom surface of a borosilicate glass injection molded soldering mold with the milling machine.

Abstract: A system for accurately determining whether a work piece such as a plastic molded bottle cap is defective from quality norms and removing those defective pieces from a stream of work pieces includes a feed conveyor for serially delivering work pieces where adjacent work pieces are in contact with each other. The feed conveyor delivers these work pieces onto an inspection conveyor with a plurality of air holes. Air is forced through the air holes to impinge upon the work piece and thus rapidly accelerate them away from the adjacent work piece it was in contact with and move through an inspection station. An air blower provides pressurized air through the air holes to continue accelerating and separating the work pieces as they move. The inspection station includes a camera to image each work piece. The camera communicates these images to a processing unit such as a computer that can rapidly compare the image to a set of quality control standards each work piece should meet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for testing a disc shaped mold structure having a convexo-concave pattern formed on a surface thereof based on a desired design pattern, including at least: transferring a magnetic signal corresponding to a convexo-concave pattern formed on the entire surface of the mold structure to a medium in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the medium, obtaining a reproduction signal by electrically reproducing the magnetic signal from the medium onto which the magnetic signal has been transferred, and comparing the desired design pattern with the reproduction signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a mold by pressurizing a foam mixture composed of particles of aggregate, water-soluble binders, and water, and injecting it into a cavity of a heated metal mold that includes a hollow rectangular-parallelepiped body 12 having a bottom plate 14, the bottom plate 14 having an injection hole 13 to inject the foam mixture, a device 10 for containing the foam mixture having functions as a mixing bath to mix particles of aggregate, water-soluble binders, and water, and as a pressurized vessel to inject the foam mixture into the metal mold, and a device 22 for closing and opening the injection hole 13. The apparatus is further provided with a device for measuring a temperature of the particles of aggregate or the foam mixture, the viscosity, and the moisture and a device for communicating gases from the cavity of the metal mold to the outside of the mold so that the particles of aggregate cannot pass through it.

Abstract: When a separation layer is formed using a stamper between a substrate and the stamper on a thick substrate, on the surface of which a rewritable recording multilayer film provided with signal guide grooves or pits and the signal guide grooves or pits are transferred from the stamper to the surface, variations in the thickness of the separation layer are produced due to unevenness of the distance between the stamper and the substrate. The surface of the kth signal recording layer of the kth signal substrate is shaped parallel to the surface with the guide grooves and pits of the (k?1)th signal recording layer on the (k?1)th stamper, a (k?1)th separation layer is formed between the two and then the (k?1)th stamper is peeled off. The distance between the surface with the guide grooves and pits of the (k?1)th signal recording layer and the kth signal recording layer becomes uniform, and therefore the thickness of the (k?1)th separation layer can be kept uniform.

Abstract: An object is to make it possible to calculate and set a threshold used for determining whether a molded product is good or defective, for each molding shot, to thereby enable an operator of a molding machine to easily set the threshold, and to determine whether a molded product is good or defective, while using a proper threshold, to thereby maintain a proper percent defective and enable accurate determination for molded products.

Abstract: An imprint lithography method is disclosed, which includes imprinting a plurality of patterns in an imprintable medium provided on a substrate, wherein the order in which the patterns are imprinted in the imprintable medium is such that, for the majority of the patterns, two consecutively imprinted patterns are not imprinted adjacent to one another.

Abstract: A technique of accurately recognizing a semiconductor device and of specifying a package type thereof. By forming, on the package surface, projections having a geometric pattern such as a circle pattern using an ejector pin and by judging only presence or absence of the circular projections using an image processor, it is possible to reduce a risk of recognition failure of the geometric pattern even if the pattern has some omission in the constitutive line thereof or has any addition of a new line. For example, when the circular projections are provided on the surface of a package, an image processor reads only presence or absence of the circular projections even if disconnection of the line or addition of a line should occur, and this allows the circular projections to be always read as being “present”.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a mold includes at least one plate and a storage device supported at the at least one plate. The storage device stores electronic information associated with the mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for controlling the quality of a product produced by an injection molding production process. The invention includes performing a multivariate analysis on injection molding process data collected real-time and determining whether the real-time data is within a predetermined production control limit. When the real-time production data exceeds the control limit, the process is considered out of control and product produced during the out of control condition is removed real-time from the injection molding production process.

Abstract: An injection molding machine estimates a check valve wear amount, making it possible to predict a check valve use limit. At start of injection, the check valve is at a position advanced a stroke S0 with respect to a screw position (a position of a check seat that contacts the check valve and closes a resin flow channel). As the screw advances, the check valve retreats and closes when the screw moves a distance X0. When the check valve is worn ?S (S1=S0+?S), it closes when the screw moves X1. Since the check valve stroke and the distance the screw moves until the check valve closes are proportional, S0/X0=S1/X1=a. Therefore, ?S=aX1?S0, and the wear amount ?S can be obtained by detecting the check valve closing position X1 and using this position X1 and the known stroke S0. The closing position is detected from the peak value of rotational force acting on the screw. Once the wear amount is obtained, the check valve use limit can be predicted from an allowable value of wear.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting section of a plasticized ceramic extrudate includes a marking assembly for applying an orientation reference mark to a plasticized ceramic extrudate exiting an extrusion die onto an extrudate support, and at least one extrudate-contacting deformable roller having an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is pivotable with respect to a movement of the extrudate exiting an extrusion die, and wherein the roller is adapted to contact the extrudate and correct a corkscrew deformation of the extrudate exiting the extrusion die. The apparatus also includes at least one extrudate-contacting orientation control member for correcting the orientation of a cut section of the extrudate on the extrudate support in response to a misalignment of the reference mark.

Abstract: The invention provides an injection molding capable of adjusting a detection level with a simple structure and detecting a deposit level of the resin pellets near a plasticizing screw. A cooling jacket is mounted so that a resin supplying hole of the cooling jacket communicates with a resin supplying hole of a heating cylinder. A sensor head mounted on a sensor mounting plate is inserted into the resin supplying hole through a sensor insertion port provided on a hopper plate and a resin inlet and detects the deposit level of the resin pellets deposited in the resin supplying hole. Changing the extent of insertion of the sensor head enables the resin pellets deposit detection level to be changed, and further, enables the deposit level near the outer periphery of the screw to be detected. Setting the sensor detection direction perpendicular to the resin deposit direction enables dirtying of the sensor detection surface by the resin pellets to be reduced, thus enabling erroneous detection readings to be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an injection moulding machine, comprising an extruder for continuously producing a melt of a desiccant-filled polymer; at least one injection device fluidly connected with the extruder by a first conduit to receive melt and including an injection ram movable to a forward position for injection of melt into an injection mould and a rear position for introduction of melt into the injection device; characterized in that the injection moulding machine further comprises a sensor which allows determination of the viscosity or melt flow index of the desiccant-filled polymer. Further disclosed is a method of operating such a compounder-type injection moulding machine.