Methods for forming improved bales may include using baling equipment with multi-component bolster assemblies that may ease installation and removal, reduce wear and tear and maintenance, and/or improve efficiency by reducing material waste, imperfections, and/or contamination. The bolster assemblies may include a plurality of coupling portions that engage a hydraulic rod and may enable the bolster assembly to self-center within a press chamber during normal baling operations. The bolster assemblies also may include an island portion that may be attached to the coupling portions and to a bolster cap, and the latter may be attached using retainer bolts having substantially planar heads that may define lips that run about frustums. The bolts may substantially planar head may reduce irregularities in the bale and the lips may prevent material seepage into the bolster assemblies.

Methods for forming improved bales may include using baling equipment with multi-component bolster assemblies that may ease installation and removal, reduce wear and tear and maintenance, and/or improve efficiency by reducing material waste, imperfections, and/or contamination. The bolster assemblies may include a plurality of coupling portions that engage a hydraulic rod and may enable the bolster assembly to self-center within a press chamber during normal baling operations. The bolster assemblies also may include an island portion that may be attached to the coupling portions and to a bolster cap, and the latter may be attached using retainer bolts having substantially planar heads that may define lips that run about frustums. The bolts may substantially planar head may reduce irregularities in the bale and the lips may prevent material seepage into the bolster assemblies.

A recoat assembly for an additive manufacturing system includes a first roller support, a second roller support, a first roller disposed between and supported by the first roller support and the second roller support, a first rotational actuator operably coupled to the first roller and configured to rotate the first roller about a first rotation axis, and a first sensor mechanically coupled to and in contact with the first roller support, where the first sensor outputs a first output signal indicative of a first force incident upon the first roller.

An operation control device for a press line in which a first conveyance controller transmits, to a first press controller, time at which a first conveying device exits an interference region in which the first conveying device interferes with a first press machine; the first press controller controls the first press machine so that, at or after a time at which the first conveying device exits the interference region, a slide of the first press machine enters the interference region in which the first press machine interferes with the first conveying device, and transmits, to a second conveyance controller, time at which the slide of the first press machine exits an interference region in which the first press machine interferes with a second conveying device; and the second conveyance controller controls the second conveying device so that, at or after a time at which the slide of the first press machine exits the interference region, the second conveying device enters an interference region in which the second conveying device interferes with the first press machine.

An operation control device for a press line in which a first conveyance controller transmits, to a first press controller, time at which a first conveying device exits an interference region in which the first conveying device interferes with a first press machine; the first press controller controls the first press machine so that, at or after a time at which the first conveying device exits the interference region, a slide of the first press machine enters the interference region in which the first press machine interferes with the first conveying device, and transmits, to a second conveyance controller, time at which the slide of the first press machine exits an interference region in which the first press machine interferes with a second conveying device; and the second conveyance controller controls the second conveying device so that, at or after a time at which the slide of the first press machine exits the interference region, the second conveying device enters an interference region in which the second conveying device interferes with the first press machine.

A method for densifying a fibrous mat, such as scrim, to achieve a uniform mat density, including a set of parallel bars each having a row of pins extending downward therefrom which can engage the mat fibers, a plurality of shafts along which the bars slide so as to maintain the bars parallel, a plurality of extendable accordion linkages connecting the set of bars, and a linear positioning assembly having a reciprocating drive mechanism coupled to one of the bars which can move the bars in response to an actuation signal. As the drive mechanism retracts the bar to which it is coupled the spacing between the rows of bars is decreased uniformly and the rows of pins draw the fibers together and compress them uniformly across the width of the mat.

A method for densifying a fibrous mat, such as scrim, to achieve a uniform mat density, including a set of parallel bars each having a row of pins extending downward therefrom which can engage the mat fibers, a plurality of shafts along which the bars slide so as to maintain the bars parallel, a plurality of extendable accordion linkages connecting the set of bars, and a linear positioning assembly having a reciprocating drive mechanism coupled to one of the bars which can move the bars in response to an actuation signal. As the drive mechanism retracts the bar to which it is coupled the spacing between the rows of bars is decreased uniformly and the rows of pins draw the fibers together and compress them uniformly across the width of the mat.

A laser machine includes a laser head that machines a planar workpiece in a machining region while moving relative to the workpiece, a workpiece rack that is able to travel with the workpiece placed thereon, and an elevator that is able to locate the workpiece in the machining region by raising and lowering the workpiece rack with the workpiece placed thereon.

A device for compacting a contoured elongate composite layup includes flexible first and second fiber reinforced resin flexible sections flexible along their lengths. The first section is flexible within a first plane and the second section is flexible within the first plane as well as within a second plane. The second section includes flexible joints reinforced by a spine.

Methods for forming improved bales may include using baling equipment with multi-component bolster assemblies that may ease installation and removal, reduce wear and tear and maintenance, and/or improve efficiency by reducing material waste, imperfections, and/or contamination. The bolster assemblies may include a plurality of coupling portions that engage a hydraulic rod and may enable the bolster assembly to self-center within a press chamber during normal baling operations. The bolster assemblies also may include an island portion that may be attached to the coupling portions and to a bolster cap, and the latter may be attached using retainer bolts having substantially planar heads that may define lips that run about frustums. The bolts may substantially planar head may reduce irregularities in the bale and the lips may prevent material seepage into the bolster assemblies.