Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.

Abstract: A computer representation of a printable product part and a plan for the printable product part to be deposited using an additive manufacturing process are received. The printable product part comprises an accumulation of material deposited by the additive manufacturing process. The plan comprises a tool-path representation of the printable product part and process parameters. A plurality of as-printed shapes of the printable product part are determined after it has been deposited according to the plan. Geometric differences between any of the plurality of as-printed shapes with the computer representation of the product part are determined.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for preparing a building structure with 3D printing, comprising: a 3D printing device (1), having a storage chamber (11) and a printing head (12) connected to the storage chamber (11) and being movable relative to a base frame; and a reinforcing device, movably disposed relative to the base frame, and having a driving mechanism (3) for driving short rebars or short ribs to perform an insertion movement in a direction intersected with a stacking direction of a cement-based slurry layer; the driving mechanism inserts the short rebars or the short ribs into an interlayer interface spanning at least two adjacent cement-based slurry layers printed by the 3D printing device (1). Also provided a method for preparing a building structure with 3D printing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the step-by-step guidance of a machine operator of an extrusion device for a film machine when changing from an application formula to a subsequent formula, comprising the following steps: identifying a formula change request, displaying the formula change request for the machine operator, displaying at least one concluding step to be performed for the application formula, identifying a confirmation of the machine operator for the at least one concluding step, displaying at least one preparatory step to be performed for the subsequent formula, identifying a confirmation of the machine operator for the at least one preparatory step, and concluding the change from the application formula to the subsequent formula.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for producing three-dimensional objects are disclosed. In an embodiment, an apparatus for solid freeform fabrication comprises a movable nozzle comprising a nozzle opening, a heating element connected to the movable nozzle, a driver connected to the movable nozzle, a platform for receiving a build material from the movable nozzle, and a hopper for providing the build material to the driver, the hopper comprising a hopper opening, wherein the nozzle opening and the hopper opening are capable of simultaneous alignment on a straight axis such that the build material, when present, is capable of traveling along the straight axis at least from the hopper opening until the build material attains a flowable state.

Abstract: A method of operating an additive manufacturing system feeds solid extrusion material into a heater using a slip clutch coupled to an actuator of a mechanical driver to supply thermoplastic material into a manifold in an extruder head. The method sets a speed of the actuator so the actuator operates at a rotational speed that is slightly greater than the rotational speed of the mechanical mover. This method helps maintain the pressure of the thermoplastic material in the manifold of the extruder head in a predetermined range no matter how many nozzles are opened in the extruder head.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for extruding materials. In certain embodiments, one or more hollow billets are loaded onto an elongate mandrel bar and transported along the mandrel bar to a rotating die. The billets are transported through fluid clamps, which engage the mandrel bar and provide cooling fluid to the mandrel bar tip, and through mandrel grips, which engage the mandrel bar and prevent the mandrel bar from rotating. One or more press-rams advance the billets through a centering insert and into the rotating die. A quench assembly is provided at an extrusion end of the extrusion press to quench the extruded material. A programmable logic controller may be provided to control, at least in part, operations of the extrusion press system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing nanofibers according to an aspect of the present invention by electrically stretching a solution in space and depositing the nanofibers in a given region includes: effusing the solution from an effusing body having an effusing hole which allows the solution to effuse in a direction; applying a given voltage between the effusing body and a charging electrode being conductive and disposed at a given distance from the effusing body, using a charging power supply configured to apply the given voltage; and determining a flight path of the solution and the nanofibers such that a length of the flight path of the solution and the nanofibers is longer than a shortest path length which is a length of a shortest imaginary path connecting an end opening of the effusing hole and an accumulation part on which the nanofibers are accumulated.

Abstract: A method of designing a die cavity that may include performing a flow analysis using characteristics of a predetermined die cavity, density and rheological properties of a material, and a flow rate of the material to calculate the pressure distribution exerted on the die cavity and cross-sectional flow profile. The method further includes a structural analysis using the calculated pressure distribution and structural characteristics of the die cavity to calculate a deformed die cavity. The flow analysis is repeated using the characteristics of the deformed die cavity to calculate a pressure distribution exerted on the die cavity and cross-sectional flow profile. The outcome is compared to determine if the pressure distributions and/or cross-sectional flow profiles converge. These steps are iteratively repeated until convergence of the pressure and/or cross-sectional flow profile is observed. The variation of the cross-sectional flow profile is analyzed to determine if it is below a predetermined tolerance.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for electronically controlling the movement of a pin assembly used in a valve gate mechanism of an injection molding machine. The system of the present invention includes at least one valve which is part of an injection molding machine, as well as a graphical user interface which is operable for controlling the injection molding machine and the valve. Additionally, the present invention also includes controlling the injection molding machine electronically for improving the control over the opening and closing of the valves.

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 is a system for electronically controlling the movement of a pin assembly used in a valve gate mechanism of an injection molding machine. The system of the present invention includes at least one valve which is part of an injection molding machine, as well as a graphical user interface which is operable for controlling the injection molding machine and the valve. Additionally, the present invention also includes controlling the injection molding machine electronically for improving the control over the opening and closing of the valves.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling the processing of thermoplastics. The system includes a graphical interface and a server attached to the equipment in the cubing process. The interface includes a depiction of the equipment in the cubing process. A touch screen interface allows the user to control the equipment in the cubing process. In addition, information from the equipment is transmitted to the interface and conveyed to the user either through visual displays (e.g. numerical or graphical) or auditory signals (e.g. alarms or status beeps). The server may include software used to monitor the feed rate into the cuber with a modified proportional integral derivative (PID) algorithm in which the prime feedback input is a real-time electrical consumption signal derived from the motor driving the cuber.

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: A process for the automatic control of the thickness of extruded film lowers the deviations in the thickness of the film more quickly after the start of the extrusion process. The process includes the measurement of the thickness profile of the film just extruded by means of a thickness-measuring probe. The thickness-measuring probe is moved along the surface of the film substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the extruded film. The thickness-measuring probe records a thickness profile of the film for each measuring cycle at least over parts of the expansion of the film perpendicular to its conveying direction. While providing statistical values in relation to older measured values, the latest measured values during a predetermined time-frame at the start of the extrusion process are more heavily weighted by a computer than those measured during the normal operation.

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 with the extrusion process. A synchronization signal to one or more control nodes causes the nodes to adjust to a predetermined setting.

Abstract: A method of making a customized wireless communication device (100) is disclosed. It can include the steps of: inputting (110) customer requirements; generating (120) a checklist of customer requirements; providing (130) an extruded housing with an opening defining a pocket configured to receive electrical components; and removing (140) material from the extruded housing to form an industrial design having at least one receptacle integral to the extruded housing to receive an antenna module and display module. The method is adapted to allow a designer to customize the look and feel of an electronic device, such as wireless communication device. This method is attractive to a customer.

Abstract: An elongated piece of pre-finished vinyl siding adapted to be cut to a measured length at a worksite and to be affixed to a structure includes an upper portion that includes a nailing flange and a locking lip portion. Linear dimension markings non-repetitively and incrementally are provided exclusively on the upper portion, wherein the linear dimension markings increase sequentially from a first end edge to a second end edge of the vinyl siding along an entire length of the vinyl siding, thereby visually indicating where to cut the vinyl siding to obtain the measured length. The linear dimension markings are completely hidden from view when the vinyl siding is affixed adjacently with other vinyl siding pieces to the structure.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shape creating program, a three-dimensional shape creating method, a three-dimensional shape creating apparatus and a computer readable recording medium recorded with the three-dimensional shape creating program, wherein one feature is made up of a plurality of loops with the contour lines thereof not crossed with one another, and an arbitrary extrusion size can be input for each of the loops, thereby improving the working efficiency for creating a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an extruded film tube and supplying said tube to a collapsing and roller assembly includes a die for extruding a molten material in the form of a tube which is in a molten state below a frost line and in a solid state above the frost line. A blower system supplies and exhausts cooling air to and from an interior portion of the tube, and is regulated by a valve. At least two sensors are provided, one below the frost line for sensing the position of said tube, and one located proximate the tube in a position above said frost line. The upper sensor is used for sensing the position of the tube prior to collapsing and flattening it. A controller receives feedback signals from both sensors and controls operation of the valve.

Abstract: A method of controlling the thickness of sheets manufactured by the extrusion of a material from a die having a plurality of thickness adjusting means by repeating, at specified timings, the following steps of 1) measuring the distribution of thickness of the sheets in lateral direction, 2) evaluating a predicted future variation in sheet thickness by using a specified evaluation function and based on a process model representing a relation between the amount of operation and the sheet thickness and sheet thickness measured values and leading an operating amount time series to minimize the evaluation function, and 3) outputting at least the initial amount of operation of the led operating amount time series to the thickness adjusting means.

Abstract: A method for processing a rubber mixture or compound for tire manufacturing includes the steps of determining variation tolerances with respect to reference values for process parameters, detecting values of the process parameters, comparing detected values of the process parameters with the reference values and the variation tolerances, attributing an evaluation to a semi-finished product depending on compliance or noncompliance of the detected values with the reference values and the variation tolerances, classifying the semi-finished product on a basis of the attributed evaluation, and establishing successive steps for processing the semi-finished product depending on the classification of the semi-finished product. The processing includes at least a mixing cycle and an extrusion cycle for obtaining the semi-finished product. The cycles are controlled by the process parameters detected during execution of the cycles.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an extruded film tube and supplying said tube to a collapsing and roller assembly includes a die for extruding a molten material in the form of a tube which is in a molten state below a frost line and in a solid state above the frost line. A blower system supplies and exhausts cooling air to and from an interior portion of the tube, and is regulated by a valve. At least two sensors are provided, one below the frost line for sensing the position of said tube, and one located proximate the tube in a position above said frost line. The upper sensor is used for sensing the position of the tube prior to collapsing and flattening it. A controller receives feedback signals from both sensors and controls operation of the valve.

Abstract: A process management system for at least one of monitoring and controlling operation of a machine comprises at least one sensor assembly capable of being disposed on the machine for at least one of sensing, monitoring, and transmitting machine process variables of the machine, the at least one sensor assembly is capable of transmitting signals concerning the machine process variables; at least one machine operator control unit that is capable of receiving signals transmitted from the at least one sensor assembly, the at least one machine operator control unit being capable of generating information concerning machine process variables; at least one process management system control unit that is capable of being connected to the at least one machine operator control unit; at least one communications link that interconnects the at least one sensor assembly on the machine, the at least one machine operator control unit, and the at least one process management system control unit, each communications link capable

Abstract: Simulations are performed for (1) the change in shape of the molten resin when a parison is formed by extruding said resin through the gap between the extruder die and core, (2) the change in shape of the molten resin due to clamping the mold around the extruded parison and blowing compressed air into the parison, and (3) the thermal deformation that will occur in the molded product due to cooling after the molded product, obtained when the molten resin has solidified in the mold, is removed from the mold in a high-temperature state. The shapes of the mold, extruder die and core that will give the desired shape of molded product are determined from the results of these simulations.

Abstract: A system and a method for generating die swell/draw down information for a profile extrusion die design. A rheometer having a slit die and a puller mechanism coupled thereto provide the die swell/draw down information of a polymer resin material in two dimensions—in the thickness direction and in the width direction. A processor uses the die swell/draw down information to generate a die design chart that contains representations of shear rate, draw rates, and thickness. A designer uses the die design charts to design a profile extrusion die.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermal extrusion of a polymeric material to manufacture prototype mechanical elements from said polymeric material, said apparatus used for deposition of a liquefied ribbon of said polymeric material in patterned layers which solidify to form a three-dimensional prototype element, said apparatus comprising in combination, a mounting frame, said mounting frame including a mounting plate with a movable platen movable in the x and y directions, said frame further including an extrusion cylinder, said extrusion cylinder comprising a cylindrical housing having a uniform diameter cylindrical through passage, a head member having a uniform diameter bore connected with a reduced diameter, integral tip opening, said head member attached by a clamp to one end of the cylindrical housing to align the bore with the through passage, said-bore and through passage having an equal diameter, said head member including a circumferential heater to liquefy contents of the head member, a reciprocal piston slidabl