Abstract: An adjustable support is used to support a preformed mold in a molding operation. The adjustable support includes an aggregate or particulate material that in a now stressed or reduced stress state is flowable to allow shaping thereof to effectively support a back face of the preformed mold. The adjustable support is then jammed to rigidify or fix the shape thereby effectively supporting the preformed mold. The adjustable support is changed from an adjustable state to a support state preferably by applying a vacuum pressure to the aggregate material. In the adjustable state an airflow can be introduced to the aggregate material to allow movement and/or displacement of the material.

Abstract: The invention disclosed apparatuses and methods to do nanoimprint lithography using a deformable mold. Generally, the apparatus has a chamber with a transparent section on its top wall, which is capable of vacuuming and pressurizing. The deformable mold fixed firmly onto a hollow mold holder around its full periphery is attached to top inner surface of the chamber and positioned underneath the transparent section. The central area of the mold is freely accessible from underneath through the opening of the mold holder. An enclosed volume referring to mold mini-chamber is formed between the mold/holder and top wall of the chamber. Inside chamber, a stage assembly is installed. A chuck to vacuumly hold a substrate is mounted on top of the stage assembly. At beginning of the imprinting, the substrate with a layer of resist is positioned underneath the mold at a predetermined gap between them. Then, the substrate is moved up to contact with the mold either under vacuum or under atmosphere.

Abstract: The present application relates to a full wafer nanoimprint lithography device comprises a wafer stage, a full wafer coated with a liquid resist, a demolding nozzle, a composite mold, an imprint head, a pressure passageway, a vacuum passageway and a UV light source. The present application also relates to an imprinting method using the full wafer nanoimprint lithography device comprises the following steps: 1) a pretreatment process; 2) an imprinting process; 3) a curing process; and 4) a demolding process. The device and the method can be used for high volume manufacturing photonic crystal LEDs, nano patterned sapphire substrates and the like in large scale patterning on the non-planar surface or substrate.

Abstract: Thickness gradients in large, cobonded composite structures resulting from gravity-induced resin migration during curing is substantially reduced by rotating the structure during the resin infusion and curing stages. The layup for the structure is placed on a rotatable tool fixture and vacuum bagged. The tool fixture is mounted on a central support tube provided with motors for rotating the tool fixture about the axis of the tube. The tube has internal passageways that deliver resin to the bagged layup and carry away excess resin from the layup using vacuum pressure. The resulting composite structures exhibit thickness gradients less than 10%.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of forming selected portions of integral sheets of material are disclosed. Unformed portions of the sheets may remain undistorted during the forming process, allowing them to contain text, art work, or other desired information without material risk of the information being degraded or becoming unintelligible during the forming process. This result may be accomplished, moreover, with less trim than usually occurs in conventional forming processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyurethane-coated (PU-coated) spandex fabric-fused midsole, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same, which allow a shoe midsole to be easily and conveniently manufactured through a single automatic process, and allows a PU-coated spandex fabric to be easily fused to a surface of the midsole in the process of manufacturing the midsole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foamed member capable of inhibiting or preventing foam breakage at the time when the foam member is peeled from a carrier tape, even when the foamed member has a high expansion ratio. The foamed member has a thermoplastic resin foam layer containing a thermoplastic resin foam formed through a step of impregnating a high-pressure inert gas into a thermoplastic resin and subsequently reducing pressure, and at least one of a thermoplastic polyester-based resin layer and a thermoplastic elastomer resin layer disposed on at least one side of the thermoplastic resin foam layer.

Abstract: A vacuum bagging system may include a layer assembly defining a fluid flow channel. The layer assembly may include a contact layer mounted to a composite part positionable within an outer mold line (OML) tool. The contact layer may have a contact layer width defined by opposing contact layer side edges. The layer assembly may further include an inner layer mounted to the contact layer and having inner layer side edges located between the contact layer side edges. The fluid flow channel may extend along at least a portion of the composite part to at least one part end. The vacuum bagging system may include an internal vacuum bag positionable against the inner layer. An inner mold line (IML) tool may support the internal vacuum bag. The contact layer width may be less than an IML tool width.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a die suitable for extrusion of thermoplastic vulcanizate, in particular for co-extrusion of multiple materials comprising a thermoplastic vulcanizate. The die comprises a pool die plate, an orifice die plate, and a profile die plate. By utilizing the die according to the present disclosure in extrusion, the flow of extrudate can be well controlled and balanced due to the design of flow pool and through orifice, thereby an extruded article achieves good shape performance, for example, good surface smoothness, and an undesired effect like edge tear, warpage, die moustache, silver line in the extrusion can be avoided.

Abstract: A re-usable retainer designed to be used in the curing process of co-bonding uncured stringers. The re-usable retainer is made of metal so it is not necessary to manufacture one retainer for each manufactured stringer. The metallic retainer is placed in direct contact with the uncured resin so the cured stringer has a very good surface quality. The re-usable retainer has a special shape that allows a mild transition of the vacuum bag that avoids vacuum bag breakages. The re-usable retainer is easy to install and to remove.

Abstract: A method for a vacuum process of isostatic pressing of powder material comprises preparing an explosive charged rubber bag by charging a rubber bag with powder, forming a vacuum environment by putting the explosive charged rubber bag in a vacuum box, sealing an inlet of the explosive charged rubber bag which is in a vacuum state, and maintaining the vacuum state by putting the explosive charged rubber bag in a fluid contained in a reservoir by a predetermined depth in a state that the inlet of the explosive charged rubber bag has been sealed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a molded article (e.g., 141) from first and second heated and thermoformable thermoplastic sheets (75, 78), which are each respectively formed in situ from first and second thermoplastic compositions (e.g., by means of extrusion). The heated first and second thermoformable sheets are each drawn by reduced pressure into contour matching contact with the interior mold surfaces (14, 32) of separate first and second mold portions (11, 29), so as to form separate first and second profiled thermoplastic sheets (129, 144) within the separate mold portions. The first and second mold portions (11, 29) are positioned towards each other (e.g., together) so as to bring into contact and fuse together contact portions (159, 163) of the first and second profiled thermoplastic sheets (129, 144). Fusion between the contacted contact portions (159, 163) is achieved by means of (e.g.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a one-piece composite fuselage section that minimizes out-of-plane fiber distortion. This is accomplished by fabricating a mandrel having a coefficient of thermal expansion in the hoopwise direction that is sufficiently greater than that of the laid-up composite ply assembly. As a result of this differential in the coefficients of thermal expansion in the hoopwise direction, the laid-up composite ply assembly is stretched circumferentially as the mandrel expands radially during cure, thereby eliminating or reducing out-of-plane fiber distortion. At the same time, the mandrel and part being fabricated should have substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion in the lengthwise direction. As the outer surface of the mandrel increases in circumference, the circumferentially oriented reinforcing fibers of the inner plies are stretched, while the circumferentially oriented reinforcing fibers of the outer plies do not reduce in circumference and thus do not form waves or wrinkles.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of forming a molded thermoplastic piece are provided. The molded thermoplastic piece can have an outer layer of one or more sheets of reinforced flexible thermoplastic and a porous layer, such as cork. The outer layer can a mechanical bond with the porous layer.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a piece made of composite material that includes fibers that are immersed in a resin matrix, whereby the piece is placed in a first chamber with at least one flexible wall. The process includes a thermal cycle with essentially a first phase (50) at a first temperature during which the resin is liquid or in the “gel” state, and then a second phase (52) at a second temperature that is higher than the first during which solidification of the piece takes place by polymerization of the resin. An external pressure is applied to the outside of the first chamber and an internal pressure is generated inside the first chamber, wherein during the first phase (50), the relative internal pressure is less than 0 during a first period, and then greater than 0 during a second period preceding the beginning of the polymerization for reducing the porosity rate.

Abstract: Soluble pouches are formed on a continous motion rotating thermoforming machine having cavities in the surface of a drum into which a web of polymeric film is drawn by a vacuum to form pockets. The pockets are filled with one or more components and closed by a further web of polymeric film. Shrink-back of the polymeric film within the cavities is reduced by heating the cavities with heaters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing a composite workpiece to form a part. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise an object, a portable structure, and a heating system. The object may have a shape selected for a part. The portable structure may comprise a retaining structure configured to hold the object. The retaining structure may have a first side and a second side. The heating system may be configured to cover the object at the first side of the retaining structure and the second side of the retaining structure. The heating system may be further configured to generate heat for use in curing a workpiece placed over the object to form the part.

Abstract: A seal is provided on a vacuum bag used in an infusion molding process. The seal is a truncated V-shape that has convergent walls and a distal end that defines a vacuum channel in conjunction with an infusion mold.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a tray of cellulose material, includes: a compression mold including an essentially flat bottom end and surrounding sides for compression molding and drying of cellulose pulp to a finished tray; a male mold arranged to fit into the compression mold and that includes a bottom space and lateral surfaces corresponding to the compression mold, wherein the compression mold and the male mold between themselves delimit a mold space including a base section and a side section for compression molding of the cellulose pulp. Both the compression mold and the male mold are provided with blow and suction devices for blowing in and suction of fluid in and out of the mold space. The blow and suction devices include an inlet pipe having an inlet valve, coupled to an inlet chamber in connection with the mold space, and an outlet pipe having an outlet valve separated from the inlet pipe and coupled to an outlet chamber in connection with the mold space.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a laminated board, comprising: preparing a first and a second prepregs 30a, 30b with a carrier by laminating the carrier with an insulating resin layer in which a fiber cloth is embedded, and laminating the first and the second prepregs 30a, 30b with a carrier by bonding the insulating resin layer in the first prepreg 31a with a carrier and the insulating resin layer in the second prepreg 31b with a carrier directly or via an additional member under reduced pressure and heating it.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum thermoforming and printing plastic articles from a continuous web of plastic material in which a rotatable vacuum thermoforming drum has a plurality of vacuum thermoforming dies mounted on circumferentially surfaces. The drum further comprises a gear path and a cam path, each with a plurality of substantially flat and curved sections. A print structure in a frame includes a device for imparting ink to the articles after they are formed, and a linear bearing adapted to allow the printing cylinder to move in a constrained motion substantially normal to the central axis. The printing cylinder comprises a shaft with a pinion gear to engage the gear path and a cam roller to engage the cam path. As the drum rotates, the articles are formed, printed and separated in substantially a single operation.

Abstract: A substrate sealing apparatus includes a chamber, at least one lower compressing member, and at least one lower compressing member. The lower compressing member includes a lower compressing surface for emitting heat, is configured to be elevated up and lowered down in a vertical direction with respect to the compressing surface, and rotates about the vertical direction. The upper compressing member includes a lower compressing surface for emitting heat, and is configured to be elevated up and lowered down in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A flexible compaction sheet is used to compact uncured composite plies onto the surface of a ply layup. The compaction sheet includes a peripheral seal that seals the perimeter of the sheet to the surface of the part layup and forms a vacuum chamber over the plies which is evacuated through the sheet to apply compaction pressure to the plies.

Abstract: The invention describes a tensioning rail (3) for a membrane (2) of a membrane press. To allow a simpler and more rapid assembly and disassembly of the membrane (2) than in known devices, the tensioning rail includes a support rail (8), in which at least one tensioning strip (13) is mounted detachably, whereby the tensioning strip (13) is designed for securely clamping onto the edge of the membrane (2). In this way it is possible to equip a new replacement membrane (2) with tensioning strips (13) independently and outside of the membrane press, which then only need to be attached to the support rail (8). In this case the support rail does not need to be disassembled, but remains on the membrane press the whole time. A further essential advantage is that the tensioning rail (3) can also be installed into existing membrane presses, for example as a replacement for an existing securing device for the membrane.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for manufacturing multi-wall corrugated polymer pipe. The system includes an extruder configured to co-extrude concentric annular tubes; a corrugator configured to form the concentric annular tubes into a dual-wall pipe having a smooth wall and a corrugated wall; a cross-head die configured to extrude an outer wall of pipe onto the corrugated wall of the dual-wall pipe; a vacuum punch configured to penetrate the outer wall of pipe and draw a vacuum between the corrugated wall and the outer wall, such that the outer wall of pipe deforms inward toward the corrugated wall of pipe between bell and spigot portions of the corrugated wall; and a cutter configured to cut the pipe into sections where the vacuum punch deformed the outer wall between the bell and spigot portions of the corrugated wall. A method of manufacturing multi-wall corrugated polymer pipe is also disclosed.

Abstract: For manufacture of fiber-reinforced components, a positionable base frame is used on which a controllable holding device is provided for gripping and holding at least one reinforced fiber layer. A draping device is provided on the base frame, using which the reinforced fiber layer may be draped onto a mold core via the application of a vacuum.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a resin flow enhancing member, including a cavity with a first opening and a second opening as well as an resin flow adjusting arrangement for changing a resin flow cross section in a resin flow direction from the first opening to the second opening in the resin flow enhancing member by applying vacuum to the second opening. The disclosure further relates to a fibre reinforced plastic laminate including a fibre stack and at least one resin flow enhancing member as well as to a fibre reinforced plastic composite material prepared by using a resin flow enhancing member. The disclosure further relates to a vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding process for injecting resin from a resin flow enhancing member into a fibre stack.

Abstract: Provided is a vacuum mold having a reverse solid pattern, which enables an insert sheet to be vacuum-formed, and a solid pattern to be transferred to the insert sheet. The vacuum mold having the reverse solid pattern includes: a lower mold; and a solid pattern disposed on the surface of the lower mold. The insert sheet disposed above the lower mold is adsorbed to the surface of the lower mold by vacuum pressure in order to transfer a pattern of the solid pattern to the insert sheet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component by molding is provided. A mold has a mold surface representing a negative image of the component. The mold has openings in the mold surface. Flow channels extending from the openings in the mold surface and are connectable to a suction device. Further, the mold has a periphery delimiting the mold surface. A bag is fixed to the periphery of the mold. The bag is inflated to a pressure level above ambient pressure. The pressure is released from the bag while sucking the bag to the mold surface using the suction device. Fabrics are layered onto the bag while the bag is kept sucked to the mold surface. Resin is introduced into the fabrics and then the resin is cured.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for manufacturing a flanged component from a composite lay-up are provided. The apparatus includes a support structure coupled to the composite lay-up and a mold ring coupled to the support structure. The mold ring includes a ring guide surface and a radial contact surface that is configured to couple to the composite lay-up. The apparatus further includes a mold plate coupled to the mold ring. The mold plate includes a recessed surface and a plate guide surface, where the recessed surface is configured to couple to the composite lay-up and the plate guide surface is configured to couple to the ring guide surface. The apparatus also includes an autoclave that applies pressure to the mold ring and the mold plate to move the plate guide surface along the ring guide surface to apply pressure to the composite lay-up.

Abstract: A resin transfer molding (RTM) molding device is designed to mold a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) molded body by injecting a resin composition into a mold and by impregnating the molded body therewith. The resin composition is a chain curing polymer (CCP). A CCP accommodating layer is disposed adjacent to an outer side of the molded body. The layer contains the CCP. The layer is provided with a Vf limit value, the value defined by the curing characteristics of the CCP and the characteristics of dissipation of heat from the CCP to the exterior. An element for separating the molded body is disposed between the body and the layer.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a composite fiber component (1) the method comprising the following method steps: forming a moulding core (4) comprising a hollow profile (15) made of segments (16a . . . d) in order to establish an external geometry of the moulding core (4), wherein the segments (16a . . . d) of the moulding core (4) each extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the moulding core (4) and are each constructed so as to be pivotable about an axis running in the longitudinal direction of the moulding core (4), between a folded position (A), and an unfolded position (B) of the hollow profile (15) of the moulding core (4), wherein the segments (16a . . . d) are constructed so as to be coupled to one another via connections (18a . . . d, 19a . . .

Abstract: An arc blade-shaped processing surface structure of a pad conditioner includes an outer frame, a combining layer and a plurality of polishing particles. The polishing particles are disposed on a surface of the combining layer, and the combining layer has a first region and a second region sequentially arrange from the center to the outside of the combining layer, and the second region has a plurality of arc-shaped protrusions arranged separately from one another and disposed around the external periphery of the first region, and the protrusions arranged in order and separated with an interval apart from each other can be used to provide an appropriate space for extension and rebound for a polished surface material to obtain a definite and uniform polishing effect.

Abstract: A method and part forming apparatus configured for forming an aircraft stringer. The part forming apparatus may comprise a forming tool, a rigid plate, and a hollow bladder. The forming tool may comprise a material trough, a bladder extension trough laterally aligned with and open to the material trough, and a recessed pocket extending from either side of the bladder extension trough and adjacent to the material trough. The method comprises placing composite material into the material trough, placing the bladder onto the composite material and through the bladder extension trough, placing the rigid plate into the recessed pocket and over the bladder, and then placing skin laminate over the bladder and the composite material. Once each of these components is in place, the forming tool may be vacuum bagged and the composite material and skin laminate may be co-cured to form the stringer.

Abstract: Composite forming screens comprise a layer of hard rubber with a Shore D hardness of 12-90, preferably 33-90 and most preferably 46-60 and in preferred embodiments, comprise a support layer of plastic or metal bonded to the hard rubber to form a composite. The forming screens may be planar or cylindrical and are provided with a plurality of apertures or through holes and a pattern of fine scale structures. Methods of making the forming screens are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes a step of bringing a plastic matrix substance in contact with a reinforcement fiber structure to form an intermediate material. Further, the method includes a step of curing the matrix substance of the intermediate material to form a composite material. Before the plastic matrix substance is brought into contact with the reinforcement fiber structure, it is mixed with a diluent to form a mixture.

Abstract: In order to manufacture articles in the form of sheets or blocks of conglomerate stone or stone-like material, single mixes are prepared in mixers (18a,b,c,) arranged in a line and at intervals along a conveyor belt (12), each mixer depositing on said conveyor belt a layer of single mix which is arranged on top of the mix deposited by the mixer immediately upstream, forming a multiple mix which is then fed in an axially offset position to a rotating support (24) provided with homogenizing means and then passes to the vacuum vibrocompression section, after a deaeration step. A crushing device (32) is inserted between each mixer and the underlying belt so as to control the size of the agglomerations in each mix. Means (34) are envisaged for cleaning the upper surface (12a) of the conveyor belt (12) and the crushing devices (32) between the cycles for preparation of the multiple mix.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite molded part from fiber-reinforced plastics material includes providing a prepreg semi-finished product including fibers that are pre-impregnated with a matrix material and encasing the semi-finished product with a flexible sheet material to form an inner arrangement. The flexible sheet material includes a gas-permeable membrane and an inner planar gas-conducting element. The inner arrangement is encased with a first gas-tight casing and positioned on a molding surface of a mold. The inner arrangement and molding surface is encased with a second gas-tight casing. A first negative pressure is applied to the inner planar gas-conducting element and the inside of the first gas-tight casing, and the entire arrangement is heated for a first time at a first temperature. A second negative pressure is applied to an inside of the second gas-tight casing and the entire arrangement is heated for a second time at a second temperature.

Abstract: An industrial-scale high throughput wafer bonding apparatus includes a wafer bonder chamber extending along a main axis and comprising a plurality of chamber zones, a plurality of heater/isolator plates, a guide rod system extending along the main axis, a pair of parallel track rods extending along the main axis, and first pressure means. The chamber zones are separated from each other and thermally isolated from each other by the heater/isolator plates. The heater/isolator plates are oriented perpendicular to the main axis, are movably supported and guided by the guide rod system and are configured to move along the direction of the main axis. Each of the chamber zones is dimensioned to accommodate an aligned wafer pair and the wafer pairs are configured to be supported by the parallel track rods. The first pressure means is configured to apply a first force perpendicular to a first end heater/isolator plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for placing at least one material layer onto a relief mold for producing a composite material. Thereby, an elastically-reversibly deformable body with a surface relief that is designed to correspond to the relief mold is pressed against the material layer, as a result of which the surface of said body is deformed, and the material layer can be picked up. As a result of its elastically-reversible characteristics the body subsequently deforms back to its initial state so that the material layer can easily be placed onto the relief mold.

Abstract: A sheet molding apparatus including at least one molding surface with a plurality of perforations, at least one sheet retainer with a plurality of vacuum perforations, and an accompanying vacuum mechanism for controllably drawing reduced pressure through the perforations. The sheet molding apparatus can be used for rapidly and accurately positioning thermoformable thermoplastic sheets to match the molding surfaces in producing molded articles.

Abstract: Boeing is actively engaged in the production of lightweight composite airframes for both military and commercial applications. The double bag vacuum infusion process of the present invention provides a low cost, method for producing complex composite assemblies without an autoclave. It also enables the production of highly innovative structures. The quality of the composites produced using such an infusion process are comparable to composites made using prepregs, hand layup or fiber placement and autoclave curing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing root of megawatt wind-turbine blade includes the following steps: (1) manufacturing an independent female mould, and arranging a positioning stop-ring on the female mould; (2) clinging on one side of the positioning stop-ring, a plurality of glass fabrics and macroporous glass fabrics are laid on the curved surface of the female mould; (3) after laying the glass fabrics, sealing the female mould using a vacuum bag, and vacuumizing the female mould after a curved supporting board is arranged on the vacuum bag; (4) after laying a plurality of glass fabrics in the blade mould, slinging the prefabricated part and the curved supporting board to arrange them in the blade mould; (5) sealing the blade mould using another vacuum bag, vacuumizing the blade mould, thereafter infusing resin into the blade mould, after curing the root of the blade is finally formed.

Abstract: The application relates to absorbent articles and in particular to absorbent articles containing a transfer layer having a three-dimensional structure that is orientated for improved directional flow of bodily fluids and distribution within the absorbent article.

Abstract: A micro-lens array fabrication apparatus includes a first roller, a second roller, a molding member, and a cooling member. The first roller and the second roller revolve cooperatively to position portions of a substrate on the molding member while maintaining a tension on the substrate. The molding member includes a shaft and two caps connected to opposites ends of the shaft. The shaft defines a through hole and rows of molding holes in a lateral surface thereof, and forms heaters in the though hole. The heaters heat up the substrate till molten, and the air is driven to blow the molten substrate into the molding holes and form a row of micro-lens structures on the currently positioned portion of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method for a PDP which allows even high-definition and ultra-high-definition PDPs to demonstrate an excellent image display capability at improved luminous efficiency, by suppressing variation of a discharge gas composition, and by eliminating an impurity gas in a discharge space effectively. To achieve the aim, deterioration of an absorbent material 39 composed of copper ion-exchanged ZSM-5-type zeolite is prevented, by performing both sealing and evacuation steps for the front substrate 2 and back substrate 9 in a non-oxidizing gas atmosphere. This maintains properties of the absorbent material 39 for absorbing the impurity gas without degradation, even if the absorbent material 39 absorbs a Xe gas in a discharge gas introducing step.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a system for expelling a gas positioned between a substrate and a mold, the substrate and the mold further having a liquid positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids. The method and apparatus include the step of imparting printing to the lids in two or more colors. The step of imparting printing to the lids is done while the lids are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen.

Abstract: Soluble pouches are formed on a continous motion rotating thermoforming machine having cavities in the surface of a drum into which a web of polymeric film is drawn by a vacuum to form pockets. The pockets are filled with one or more components and closed by a further web of polymeric film. Shrink-back of the polymeric film within the cavities is reduced by heating the cavities with heaters.

Abstract: Boeing is actively engaged in the production of lightweight composite airframes for both military and commercial applications. The double bag vacuum infusion process of the present. invention provides a low cost, method for producing complex composite assemblies without an autoclave. It also enables the production of highly innovative structures. The quality of the composites produced using such an infusion process are comparable to composites made using prepregs, hand layup or fiber placement, and autoclave curing.