A method of constructing an inflatable fluidic actuator that includes generating a tube configuration with one or more shapes of fluid-impermeable membrane material, the tube configuration having a first tube end and a second tube end and an internal tube face and an external tube face. The method also includes coupling a first and second interface to the tube configuration at the first and second tube ends by respectively coupling each interface to the tube configuration at a respective tube end by generating at least one of: a first circumferential bond between the fluid-impermeable membrane material and one or more sidewalls of the interface; and an external face bond between fluid-impermeable membrane material at the tube end onto an external face of the interface.

Compositions, systems, devices, and methods for making a headliner, e.g., a substrate having a laminated textile laminate or coverstock attached to a surface thereof, are discussed herein. The substrate can include a fabric-foam laminate that is directly attached to the substrate without the use of an adhesive layer. The foam can be flame bonded to the substrate and the textile simultaneously by activating the adhesive properties of the foam. In some embodiments, the headliner does not include a non-woven fabric layer in the manufacturing of the headliner.

Systems and methods are disclosed for an injection training model that includes a base structure, an anatomical subassembly mechanically secured to the base, and a ballistic gel structure. The anatomical subassembly includes a first set of 3D-printed components manufactured from a first material, and a second set of 3D-printed components manufactured from a second material, wherein the first material has a greater stiffness than the second material. The ballistic gel structure encapsulates the anatomical subassembly and is transparent, repairable, and inorganic.

Composite materials having superior material properties useful as impact absorbing devices can be fabricated by embedding a lattice structure (e.g., polymer lattice structure) within a foam, so that the foam reinforces the lattice structure under impact. Materials and dimensions of the foam and the lattice structure may be selected to achieve composite materials having tailored impact absorbing elastic and/or viscoelastic responses over a wide range of temperatures.

An orthosis is fitted to a body joint, in a preferred embodiment the equine fetlock, by locating the center of rotation (COR) of the joint; measuring the bones comprising the joint at points located with respect to the COR; selecting the appropriate orthosis from a selection of models thereof; and custom-fitting the orthosis to the individual by heating it to soften a layer of thermoformable foam on the interior of the orthosis, and clamping the orthosis in place over the body joint. A kit of tools for performing the measurements is disclosed, as are a method for location of the COR of the body joint by palpation and a preferred heater.

In one embodiment, an artificial turf system includes an existing artificial turf, an elastic layer and a new artificial turf. The existing artificial turf includes a plurality of existing artificial turf fibres and existing infill granules. The existing infill granules lie between the existing artificial turf fibers and form an existing infill layer on top of a carrier structure. The elastic layer is formed by a hardened binder. At least a lower portion of the elastic layer overlaps with and penetrates at least an upper portion of the existing infill layer. The new artificial turf includes a plurality of new artificial turf fibres.

According to a method of the present invention for treating a terminal portion of an interior part for a vehicle, the terminal portion is stably maintained in a folded state by being welded firmly and deformation is constrained.

In a heating step, in a state where distal end edges of heat shield panels 30A and 30B are abutted against a boundary between a terminal portion 4 and an adjacent portion 5 of a peripheral edge portion 3 of an opening of a roof trim 1 for a sunroof, hot-air is provided toward a back surface of the terminal portion 4 from hot-air nozzles 40A and 40B, thereby softening the terminal portion 4 and melting the back surface of the terminal portion 4. In a folding-back step, the terminal portion 4 is folded back by pressing members 50A and 50B at the distal end edges of the heat shield panels 30A and 30B and then pressed against the adjacent portion 5, thereby welding the back surface of the terminal portion 4 to a back surface of the adjacent portion 5. A ventilation opening 32a is formed in the heat shield panel 30A disposed at a corner portion. In the heating step, a portion of the hot-air from the hot-air nozzle 40A is guided to the adjacent portion 5 through the ventilation opening 32a to heat the adjacent portion 5.

An insulating material for insulating a structural element in a vehicle including a support element with a first surface and a second surface, and an expandable material which is arranged on the support element. The expandable material is arranged here on a first sub-region of the first surface of the support element, and a second sub-region of the first surface is free from expandable material. The first sub-region is configured here in such a manner that the first surface of the support element is completely covered with expanded material after expansion of the expandable material.

A composite sheet material includes a cover sheet, a substrate and an adhesion promoting layer. The cover sheet has a cover sheet material. The substrate has a substrate material. The adhesion promoting layer is disposed between the cover sheet and the substrate. A first side of the adhesion promoting layer disposed towards the cover sheet has an affinity to bond with the cover sheet material. A second side of the adhesion promoting layer disposed towards the substrate has an affinity to bond with the substrate material.

A profile element is useful for sealing building-structure joints, especially for sealing against sound and smoke and optionally against fire. An apparatus is useful for manufacturing such profile element and to the use of the profile element manufactured according to the invention for the acoustic, smokeproof and/or fireproof sealing of connecting joints in drywalls, especially of expansion joints.