A hollow bearing rolling element or a rolling element with a lattice internal structure provides several advantages over a solid bearing. It is lighter than a solid bearing. Less material is required and sintering times are reduced because bonding material can flow easily to near the surface. The blank is formed using an additive manufacturing processes which offers better uniformity than a conventional two die process, enabling production of blanks much closer to finished size. They also eliminate the “Saturn Ring” associated with the conventional process. This translates into reduced grinding allowances and shorter processing time reducing both material and finishing operations costs. These processes also enable the production of hollow elements and partially hollow elements further reducing material costs, addressing the problems inherent to core material removal and reducing sintering time. The advantages offered by the additive manufacturing are especially beneficial for large products made in small batches.

A method of consolidation includes placing a fibrous preform in the shaping recess of a shaping tool, and supplying the shaping tool with a gas phase to obtain a deposit in the fibrous preform, the shaping tool for the vapor phase chemical infiltration including first and second portions, having respectively first and second shaping zones surrounded by a first and second edge zones, the first and the second shaping zone defining a shaping recess to receive the fibrous preform. A gas injection port is present at least partially in the first or second edge zone and a gas outlet port is present at least partially in the first or second edge zone, the gas injection port and the gas outlet port placing the shaping recess in fluid communication with the outside of the shaping tool. Outer faces of the first and second portion are impermeable to gas.

A method of consolidation includes placing a fibrous preform in the shaping recess of a shaping tool, and supplying the shaping tool with a gas phase to obtain a deposit in the fibrous preform, the shaping tool for the vapor phase chemical infiltration including first and second portions, having respectively first and second shaping zones surrounded by a first and second edge zones, the first and the second shaping zone defining a shaping recess to receive the fibrous preform. A gas injection port is present at least partially in the first or second edge zone and a gas outlet port is present at least partially in the first or second edge zone, the gas injection port and the gas outlet port placing the shaping recess in fluid communication with the outside of the shaping tool. Outer faces of the first and second portion are impermeable to gas.

A machinable preform for shaping into dental restorations is described that comprises material having suitable strength for use in dental applications without requiring further processing after shaping to strengthen the material (such as sintering). In one embodiment, a preform is comprised of a machinable dental material having a Vickers hardness value in the range of 4HV GPa to 20HV GPa, and comprises a body and a stem that extends from the outer surface of the body that supports the body during shaping. A method for making the machinable preform, and a kit comprising a machinable preform and a grinding tool, are also described.

A machinable preform for shaping into dental restorations is described that comprises material having suitable strength for use in dental applications without requiring further processing after shaping to strengthen the material (such as sintering). In one embodiment, a preform is comprised of a machinable dental material having a Vickers hardness value in the range of 4HV GPa to 20HV GPa, and comprises a body and a stem that extends from the outer surface of the body that supports the body during shaping. A method for making the machinable preform, and a kit comprising a machinable preform and a grinding tool, are also described.

A method for manufacturing a jewel of the polycrystalline type, in particular for a timepiece, the jewel including, for example, poly-ruby of the type al2O3Cr or Zirconia of the type ZrO2, the method including a first step of producing a precursor, and a second step of pressing the precursor in order to form a body, the pressing being carried out using a pressing device provided with an upper die and a lower die defining a pressing space in which the precursor is disposed, the device being provided with a wire passing through at least part of the lower die to open out into the pressing space, the lower die being capable of sliding about the wire, the pressing taking place by bringing the lower die and the upper die closer to one another to form a body comprising a bottom face provided with a hole.

A decorative concrete with a very uniform finish surface and a method of fabricating the same is disclosed. A concrete mixture is poured over a subgrade which defines an exposed surface. The exposed surface is finished with any of several techniques, and the surface is then worked with an abrasive material, and additional techniques are used to color and seal the concrete.

A decorative concrete with a very uniform finish surface and a method of fabricating the same is disclosed. A concrete mixture is poured over a subgrade which defines an exposed surface. The exposed surface is finished with any of several techniques, and the surface is then worked with an abrasive material, and additional techniques are used to color and seal the concrete.

A repair process for an article such as an airfoil includes providing an article that has a substrate and a ceramic barrier coating disposed on the substrate, where the ceramic barrier coating has a damaged region, abrading the damaged region to provide dimple in the ceramic barrier coating, wherein a remaining region of the ceramic barrier coating adjacent the dimple remains intact, and depositing a patch of networked ceramic nanofibers in the dimple.

An apparatus for curing concrete includes a multiple layer polyolefin film and an absorbent layer. The polyolefin film layer can include pH modifying components and antiskid components. The absorbent layer can also include pH modifying components. The absorbent layer can include nonwoven fabric. The apparatus can be applied to curing concrete after hydration water is applied to the curing concrete. The apparatus can also be used to enclose poured concrete members during transport of the members so as to continue the curing process during transport. The film can also be used as a barrier layer between the ground and poured concrete.