An apparatus for manipulating a material is provided. The apparatus may comprise a magnetic device arranged in a three-dimensional configuration. The apparatus may comprise a surface on which at least one carrier is configured to move. The magnetic device may be configured to provide a magnetic field for driving the carrier on the surface to manipulate a material. The apparatus may comprise a controller configured to control the magnetic device to modulate the magnetic field. The controller may be further configured to detect a position and/or motion of the carrier.

An apparatus for manipulating a material is provided. The apparatus may comprise a magnetic device arranged in a three-dimensional configuration. The apparatus may comprise a surface on which at least one carrier is configured to move. The magnetic device may be configured to provide a magnetic field for driving the carrier on the surface to manipulate a material. The apparatus may comprise a controller configured to control the magnetic device to modulate the magnetic field. The controller may be further configured to detect a position and/or motion of the carrier.

The present application pertains to a braided dual-sided compression packing seal, methods for producing and using such a seal, and apparatuses suitable for producing such a seal. The braided dual-sided compression packing seal is made up of two or more different materials that are braided together in such a way that, in cross-section, the compression packing seal has an asymmetrical configuration relative to a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is substantially perpendicular to a side of the compression packing seal. Accordingly, when viewed in a cross-sectional plane, the compression packing seal may expose substantially only a first material along a first side of the seal, and substantially only a second material along a second side of the seal.

The present application pertains to a braided dual-sided compression packing seal, methods for producing and using such a seal, and apparatuses suitable for producing such a seal. The braided dual-sided compression packing seal is made up of two or more different materials that are braided together in such a way that, in cross-section, the compression packing seal has an asymmetrical configuration relative to a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is substantially perpendicular to a side of the compression packing seal. Accordingly, when viewed in a cross-sectional plane, the compression packing seal may expose substantially only a first material along a first side of the seal, and substantially only a second material along a second side of the seal.

A method of forming a braided coating over a product (2, 2A), in particular a flexible product such as a cable, a rope, a pipe, etc., is provided, in which the product (2, 2A), while leaving a coating zone (17) of a braiding machine (100), is submitted to a continuous rotation about its longitudinal axis. A braiding machine (100) for carrying out the method and a coated product obtained with the method are also provided.

A method of forming a braided coating over a product (2, 2A), in particular a flexible product such as a cable, a rope, a pipe, etc., is provided, in which the product (2, 2A), while leaving a coating zone (17) of a braiding machine (100), is submitted to a continuous rotation about its longitudinal axis. A braiding machine (100) for carrying out the method and a coated product obtained with the method are also provided.

A method for producing a braided preform, includes the steps of: a) creating a braided sleeve from filler threads and braiding threads in a braiding process, for which purpose the filler threads and braiding threads are taken off thread accumulators, b) feeding a core to the braided sleeve, c) continuing the braiding process, wherein the core is advanced such that it is braided along its length, wherein, during step c), the take-off of at least one filler thread is blocked such that the at least one filler thread is pulled out of at least one section of the braided sleeve surrounding the core.

A method for producing a braided preform, includes the steps of: a) creating a braided sleeve from filler threads and braiding threads in a braiding process, for which purpose the filler threads and braiding threads are taken off thread accumulators, b) feeding a core to the braided sleeve, c) continuing the braiding process, wherein the core is advanced such that it is braided along its length, wherein, during step c), the take-off of at least one filler thread is blocked such that the at least one filler thread is pulled out of at least one section of the braided sleeve surrounding the core.

A sealing material composition which comprises sheet-like members containing expanded graphite, and which hardly causes the sheet-like members to be broken is provided. A sealing material composition 1 comprises: a stacked body 5; and a long surrounding body 6 which surrounds the stacked body. The stacked body has a plurality of sheet-like members 10 each of which is formed into a tape-like shape by expanded graphite. In the stacked body, the plurality of sheet-like members are stacked in a direction which intersects with the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, and, in the plurality of sheet-like members, sheet-like members which are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction are disposed to be displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, in a relatively movable manner. The surrounding body allows the adjacent sheet-like members to be relatively moved in the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, while maintaining the stacked state of the adjacent sheet-like members.

A sealing material composition which comprises sheet-like members containing expanded graphite, and which hardly causes the sheet-like members to be broken is provided. A sealing material composition 1 comprises: a stacked body 5; and a long surrounding body 6 which surrounds the stacked body. The stacked body has a plurality of sheet-like members 10 each of which is formed into a tape-like shape by expanded graphite. In the stacked body, the plurality of sheet-like members are stacked in a direction which intersects with the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, and, in the plurality of sheet-like members, sheet-like members which are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction are disposed to be displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, in a relatively movable manner. The surrounding body allows the adjacent sheet-like members to be relatively moved in the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, while maintaining the stacked state of the adjacent sheet-like members.