A robotic device having in-mold electronics is provided. According to one or more aspects, a robotic device includes an electronic computing unit for controlling the robotic device and a molded part. The molded part includes a thermoformed first film, structural layer, electronic circuit, and a functional component. The molded structural layer is arranged under the first film. The thermoformed second film arranged under the structural layer. The electronic circuit arranged over the second film and adjacent the structural layer. The electronic circuit includes a functional component communicably coupled to the electronic computing unit. The first film is arranged to cover the structural layer, the second film, and the electronic circuit to define an exposed surface of the molded part.

A method of additive manufacturing including generating a stress model driven slice file for a structure and additively manufacturing a variable density foam core with respect to the stress model driven slice file such that a density of the variable density foam core is varied relative to a modeled stress in the structure manufactured with the variable density foam core. An additively manufactured structure includes a composite skin bonded to the variable density foam core.

A connection, and methods of making an using such a connection, the connection comprising a first layer; a second layer concentrically disposed about the first layer; and a laser-induced seal between portions of the first and second layers; wherein the laser-induced seal provides a fluid-tight engagement between the first and second layers. As to particular embodiments of the connection, the first layer can be incorporated into a first conduit and the second layer can be incorporated into a second conduit.

A connection, and methods of making an using such a connection, the connection comprising a first layer; a second layer concentrically disposed about the first layer; and a laser-induced seal between portions of the first and second layers; wherein the laser-induced seal provides a fluid-tight engagement between the first and second layers. As to particular embodiments of the connection, the first layer can be incorporated into a first conduit and the second layer can be incorporated into a second conduit.

The invention relates to a composition for producing a thermoplastic moulding material, wherein the composition contains the following constituents: A) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of aromatic polycarbonate, aromatic polyestercarbonate and polyester, B) at least one anhydride-functionalized ethylene-α-olefin copolymer or ethylene-α-olefin terpolymer having a weight-average molecular weight Mw of 50000 to 500000 g/mol determined by high-temperature gel permeation chromatography using ortho-dichlorobenzene as solvent against polystyrene standards, C) a talc-based mineral filler, and also to a process for producing the moulding material, to the moulding material itself, to the use of the composition or of the moulding material for producing moulded articles and to the moulded articles themselves.

Apparatus and methods are described including adhering a first lens to a second lens such as to form a combined lens having a given optical design, by placing the first lens and the second lens in respective first and second pressure chambers with an adhesive layer disposed between the first lens and the second lens, bringing a convex surface of the first lens into contact with the adhesive layer, and bringing a concave surface of the second lens into contact with the adhesive layer. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including adhering a first lens to a second lens such as to form a combined lens having a given optical design, by placing the first lens and the second lens in respective first and second pressure chambers with an adhesive layer disposed between the first lens and the second lens, bringing a convex surface of the first lens into contact with the adhesive layer, and bringing a concave surface of the second lens into contact with the adhesive layer. Other applications are also described.

Thermoforming apparatus (1) for thermoforming an article (2), preferably a permeable article (2′), comprising: an elastic membrane (3,3′); a mould (4,4′); a hot air source (5) configured to blow a hot airflow (6) towards a zone (7) of the apparatus (1) configured to receive the article (2,2′) to be thermoformed; an actuation system (8) configured to move the mould (4,4′) towards the membrane (3,3′) or vice versa to compress the heated article (2,2′) between the membrane (3,3′) and the mould (4) such that an elastic force of the membrane (3,3′) on the article (2,2′) forces the article (2,2′) to assume the shape of the mould (4).2. Thermoforming apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the mould (4′) and/or membrane (3′) are perforated so to permit a transit of the hot airflow (6) from the hot air source (5) to said zone (7). Thermoforming process of an article (2,2′) in a thermoforming apparatus (1) comprising an elastic membrane (3,3′), a mould (4,4′) and a hot air source (5), comprising the steps of: heating the article (2,2′) through a hot airflow (6) blew by the hot air source (5); compressing the heated article (2,2′) between the membrane (3,3′) and/or the mould (4,4′) by uniquely moving the mould (4,4′) and the membrane (3,3′) one toward the other such that an elastic force of the membrane (3,3′) forces the article (2,2′) to assume the shape of the mould (4,4′).

A laminate, including a substrate having a microstructure on a surface thereof; and a coating layer formed on the substrate and encapsulating the microstructure of the substrate. A glass transition temperature T.sub.1 of the substrate is higher than a glass transition temperature T.sub.2 of the coating layer. A method of producing an ophthalmic lens, including deforming the laminate into a shape of the ophthalmic lens by applying heat and/or pressure at a temperature of lower than T.sub.1.

A structural member including a lightweight core, one or more skins, and a crosslinking nanolayer interposed therebetween that results in significant mechanical strength in the structure. The core is a polymer of reduced density by way of included voids, such as an open or closed cell foam, honeycomb, or corrugated structure. The core polymer has a lower density and may have a higher softening or melting temperature than the polymer skin materials. The core may be discontinuous at the interface with the skin such that only a small percentage of the core surface is actually in contact with the skin compared to the overall area of the interface. The skin may be a thermoplastic layer that attaches to the core material. The skin may be a composite material including non-thermoplastic reinforcements. The crosslinking nanolayer is covalently bonded to the surface of the core material and provides molecular compatibility with the skin material.