Device and process for picking up a formable and/or collapsible part (30) that employs the forces of a vacuum (44) and generally distributes the vacuum force uniformly over a large portion of the surface of the part (30). The device preferably provides support for the part (30) at regular intervals, for example using a distributor plate (14) having many small openings (26). The device preferably employs a porous layer (12) such as an open cell foam between the distributor plate (14) and the part (30). The porous layer (12) may perform for one or any combination of the following: further distribute the vacuum forces, cushion the part (30) against the distributor plate (14), or further distribute the support for the part (30).

A method of shaping a green body provides a shaped green body comprised of a plurality of sinterable particles and an organic binder. Such a method includes: (1) molding a mixture of sinterable particles and organic binder into the shape of an initial green body or intermediate, wherein the sinterable particles include at least one of metal particles or ceramic particles; and (2) shaping the green body intermediate with at least one of a stream of energy or a stream of matter, wherein the shaping yields a green body having a desired shape. The shaped green body can be sintered in order to provide a hardened body having substantially the shape of the shaped green body.

Disclosed is a foam modifier, e.g., useful for gypsum or cement slurries. The foam modifier comprises a fatty alcohol that is added to a gypsum or cement slurry that includes foaming agent, such as an alkyl sulfate surfactant. The fatty alcohol can be a C.sub.6-C.sub.16 fatty alcohol in some embodiments. The use of such a foam modifier can be used, for example, to stabilize the foam, reduce waste of foaming agent, improve void size control in the final product, and improve the gypsum board manufacturing process.

Cutting method of a layer(S) of ceramic powder material having a modulus of rupture that is smaller than about 10 N/mm.sup.2, comprising: a step of moving the layer(S) of ceramic powder material along a given path (P) in a moving direction (A) through a cutting station; and a cutting step, during which at least a first water-jet cutting device cuts said layer(S) of ceramic powder material along a first direction (D1) that is transverse to the moving direction (A), so as to cut said layer(S) of ceramic powder material and obtain a plurality of articles of ceramic powder material (MCP).

A polymer cane extruder is a hand held polymer clay extruder tool made to extrude polymer clay canes with ease. It is designed for home use and comprises of a solid rod and a hollow tube that is made of clear acrylic with marked guidelines. It is an extruder tool that not only extrudes clay but is mainly used for cutting polymer clay cane slices of various uniform and consistent shapes, which includes cylindrical, square, and triangular shapes. This tool aids in holding the polymer canes unique shape and size when compressed and extruded while maintaining the shape of the pieces of polymer cane that are to be sliced off without distorting their original shape. A polymer clay cane extruder is very useful for making multi-patterned sheets from pieces of polymer clay canes that are combined into one continuous piece. These sheets are used in jewelry articles, such as beads, pendants, bracelets, and neckpieces and/or other arts and crafts related projects.

Disclosed is a foam modifier, e.g., useful for gypsum or cement slurries. The foam modifier comprises a fatty alcohol that is added to a gypsum or cement slurry that includes foaming agent, such as an alkyl sulfate surfactant. The fatty alcohol can be a C.sub.6-C.sub.16 fatty alcohol in some embodiments. The use of such a foam modifier can be used, for example, to stabilize the foam, reduce waste of foaming agent, improve void size control in the final product, and improve the gypsum board manufacturing process.

Disclosed is a foam modifier, e.g., useful for gypsum or cement slurries. The foam modifier comprises a fatty alcohol that is added to a gypsum or cement slurry that includes foaming agent, such as an alkyl sulfate surfactant. The fatty alcohol can be a C.sub.6-C.sub.16 fatty alcohol in some embodiments. The use of such a foam modifier can be used, for example, to stabilize the foam, reduce waste of foaming agent, improve void size control in the final product, and improve the gypsum board manufacturing process.

A polymer clay cane extruder that is comprised of a solid rod and a hollow tube that is made of acrylic. The tool is used for cutting polymer clay slices of various uniform and consistent shapes, which includes cylindrical, square, and triangular shapes. This tool gives uniform shape and size to each slice of polymer cane when compressed and extruded, which holds its shape and aids in cutting uniform slices of the clay canes with little to no distortion. It does not require any excessive force for cutting canes. A polymer clay cane extruder is very useful for making canes that are used in jewelry articles, such as beads, pendants, bracelets, and neckpieces and/or other arts and crafts related projects.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to textured drywall surface repair apparatus (TDSRA). The textured drywall surface repair apparatus (TDSRA) includes a centering protrusion member extending along a longitudinal axis. The TDSRA includes a surface removing member proximally disposed to a distal end of the centering protrusion member configured to create a cavity with a predetermined cross-sectional area when rotated about the longitudinal axis. The TDSRA includes a surface interface plane member disposed proximally to a distal end of the surface removing member and at least partially radially outward from the surface removing member such that the cavity is limited to a predetermined depth. In some embodiments, the predetermined depth is less than a thickness of the material in which the cavity is made. The patch may, for example, have a textured surface and a thickness equal to the predetermined depth and corresponding to the predetermined cross-sectional area.

A method of shaping a green body provides a shaped green body comprised of a plurality of sinterable particles and an organic binder. Such a method includes: (1) molding a mixture of sinterable particles and organic binder into the shape of an initial green body or intermediate, wherein the sinterable particles include at least one of metal particles or ceramic particles; and (2) shaping the green body intermediate with at least one of a stream of energy or a stream of matter, wherein the shaping yields a green body having a desired shape. The shaped green body can be sintered in order to provide a hardened body having substantially the shape of the shaped green body.