A joining element has an anchoring portion for in-depth anchoring in the object and a head portion arranged proximally of the anchoring portion with respect to an insertion axis. The head portion has a lateral outer surface that has a structure that is well-defined, especially within tight tolerances. The joining element is positioned relative to an object of a non-liquefiable material such that the anchoring portion reaches into an opening of the object or is placed adjacent a mouth thereof. Then, the joining element is pressed towards a distal direction, to press the anchoring portion into the opening, while mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the joining element by a tool, in an amount and for a time sufficient for liquefaction of a portion of the thermoplastic material to cause interpenetration of the thermoplastic material into structures of the object.

A joining element has an anchoring portion for in-depth anchoring in the object and a head portion arranged proximally of the anchoring portion with respect to an insertion axis. The head portion has a lateral outer surface that has a structure that is well-defined, especially within tight tolerances. The joining element is positioned relative to an object of a non-liquefiable material such that the anchoring portion reaches into an opening of the object or is placed adjacent a mouth thereof. Then, the joining element is pressed towards a distal direction, to press the anchoring portion into the opening, while mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the joining element by a tool, in an amount and for a time sufficient for liquefaction of a portion of the thermoplastic material to cause interpenetration of the thermoplastic material into structures of the object.

Solution casting a nanostructure. Preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining. Replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template. After the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.

A golf ball including a thermoplastic inner core layer that has a geometric center hardness greater than its surface hardness to define a negative hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a thermoplastic material and has an inner surface hardness substantially less than its outer surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An inner cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer.

A golf ball including a thermoplastic inner core layer that has a geometric center hardness greater than its surface hardness to define a negative hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a thermoplastic material and has an inner surface hardness substantially less than its outer surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An inner cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer.

A part material for printing three-dimensional parts with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material including a composition having a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material and a charge control agent. The part material is provided in a powder form having a controlled particle size, and is configured for use in the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the three-dimensional parts in a layer-by-layer manner.

A method for bonding components is provided. The method includes preparing a surface of a metal component, applying a film adhesive to the prepared surface, forming a thermoplastic component using injection molding such that the film adhesive is positioned between the metal component and the thermoplastic component, and curing the film adhesive.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hollow structure body having a hollow structure, in which a first shaped product constituted by a first fiber-reinforced resin material containing first reinforcing fibers and a first matrix resin and a second shaped product constituted by a second fiber-reinforced resin material containing second reinforcing fibers and a second matrix resin are combined, wherein in an arbitrary cross section in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the hollow structure, a ratio Sc/St between compressive strength Sc of a structure in the first shaped product and tensile strength St of a structure in the second shaped product satisfies formula (1):
(σc/σt)*(Hc/Ht)<(Sc/St)<(σt/σc)*(Hc/Ht)  formula (1).

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hollow structure body having a hollow structure, in which a first shaped product constituted by a first fiber-reinforced resin material containing first reinforcing fibers and a first matrix resin and a second shaped product constituted by a second fiber-reinforced resin material containing second reinforcing fibers and a second matrix resin are combined, wherein in an arbitrary cross section in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the hollow structure, a ratio Sc/St between compressive strength Sc of a structure in the first shaped product and tensile strength St of a structure in the second shaped product satisfies formula (1):
(σc/σt)*(Hc/Ht)<(Sc/St)<(σt/σc)*(Hc/Ht)  formula (1).

In an example, an apparatus for generating a three-dimensional object includes a build area platform, a build material distributor, a secondary material ejection device, a coalescing agent ejection device, and a controller. The controller may control the secondary material ejection device to eject a secondary material in a predefined pattern over the build area platform, control the build material distributor to distribute a layer of the build material around the ejected secondary material, control the coalescing agent ejection device to eject the coalescing agent onto the layer of the build material, and control an energy source to apply energy onto the ejected coalescing agent to cause the build material in contact with the ejected coalescing agent to coalesce and solidify.