The invention relates to the manufacture of a reinforced slab-shaped building element (E) having a length (L), a width (W) and a thickness, said slab-shaped building element (E) comprising an upper concrete plate anchored to a lower concrete plate with a top surface and a bottom surface, said upper concrete plate being cast from relatively higher strength concrete laid out upon said top surface, said lower concrete plate being of a less strong concrete, said lower concrete plate including a base contiguous with a plurality of raised portions integral therewith, said raised portions being spaced apart in the direction of said length (L) and said width (W), said plurality of raised portions defining between them a network of recesses, at least some of said recesses including reinforcing bars (R), said raised portions and said recesses together defining said top surface.

This document describes systems and processes for forming synthetic molded slabs, which may be suitable for use in living or working spaces (e.g., along a countertop, table, floor, or the like).

A process for producing a non-dense sintered ceramic molded body having at least two layers, wherein a first powdery ceramic material forming a layer is contacted with at least a second powdery material forming at least a second layer; said first powdery material has a presintering temperature T.sub.1 that is higher than the presintering temperature T.sub.s of said at least second powdery ceramic material; the course of a curve of shrinkage S.sub.1 of said at least first powdery ceramic material differs from the course of a curve of shrinkage S.sub.2 of said at least second powdery material, wherein curve of shrinkage S.sub.1 is shifted towards higher temperatures as compared to curve of shrinkage S.sub.2; and the layers are subjected to a common temperature treatment at a presintering temperature T.sub.s that is lower than the presintering temperature T.sub.1 and at least equal to T.sub.3 to cause sintering that remains in a stage of sintering that has not proceeded to the theoretical density; wherein the curve of shrinkage S.sub.1 is modified by admixing at least one component having a curve of shrinkage S.sub.3 which material is compatible with said powdery ceramic material into said first powdery ceramic material, i. e. has a grain size smaller than the first powdery ceramic material, to equalize the curves of shrinkage S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 in the region of the presintering temperature T.sub.s.

System for manufacturing ceramic articles, in particular ceramic slabs or tiles, comprising: a compaction device; a conveyor assembly to transport powder material along a given path from an input station to an output station; a digital feeding assembly to feed powder material to the conveyor assembly at the input station so as to generate a layer of powder material, with feeding devices each comprising a plurality of distribution elements along its transverse output mouth, as well as corresponding actuators; a detection unit to detect the height or thickness of the powder material; and a height correction unit, located upstream of the detection unit and of the compaction device, operable to modify the height or thickness of the layer of powder material crosswise to said moving direction, depending on the data detected by said detection unit, so as to make it more uniform.

Stone slabs, and systems and methods of forming slabs, are described. Some example slabs include a pattern defined by a particulate mineral mix. The pattern includes one or more characteristics that differ from other regions of the slab where the pattern is not present.

A method for producing microencapsulated fuel pebble fuel more rapidly and with a matrix that engenders added safety attributes. The method includes coating fuel particles with ceramic powder; placing the coated fuel particles in a first die; applying a first current and a first pressure to the first die so as to form a fuel pebble by direct current sintering. The method may further include removing the fuel pebble from the first die and placing the fuel pebble within a bed of non-fueled matrix ceramic in a second die; and applying a second current and a second pressure to the second die so as to form a composite fuel pebble.

Freeform, additive manufacturing equipment, processes and products, including residential, commercial and other buildings. A movable extruder places extrudate that solidifies in open space to create scaffolding or skeletons of buildings and other products. Elongated extrudate elements are fused to each other or connected by other means to form a cellular structure. Filler material such as polymeric insulating foam may simultaneously or thereafter be placed within the cellular structure to contribute desired strength, rigidity, insulative, barrier or other properties. Finish materials may also be applied.

This document describes systems and processes for forming synthetic molded slabs, which may be suitable for use in living or working spaces (e.g., along a countertop, table, floor, or the like).

Freeform, additive manufacturing equipment, processes and products, including residential, commercial and other buildings. A movable extruder places extrudate that solidifies in open space to create scaffolding or skeletons of buildings and other products. Elongated extrudate elements are fused to each other or connected by other means to form a cellular structure. Filler material such as polymeric insulating foam may simultaneously or thereafter be placed within the cellular structure to contribute desired strength, rigidity, insulative, barrier or other properties. Finish materials may also be applied.

An improved permeable bottom crucible is provided. The permeable bottom crucible is particularly suitable for degassing molten metal. The permeable bottom crucible comprises a refractory ceramic body comprising walls and an integral bottom wherein the integral bottom has a porous portion. The porous portion has a porosity which is higher than a porosity of the walls. Inductive coils are around the refractory ceramic body. A plug is arranged to disperse gas through the porous portion.