A method for making a biocompatible three-dimensional object includes delivering, using a delivery system, a biocompatible fluid substance comprising a plurality of particles towards a support body having a matrix surface to obtain a coating layer of predetermined thickness configured for coating the matrix surface, generating a relative movement with at least three degrees of freedom between the support body and the delivery system, and removing from the support body any surplus particles of the biocompatible fluid substance to make uniform the predetermined thickness of the coating layer. The support body is coated with the biocompatible fluid substance to obtain a three-dimensional object having an object surface corresponding to the matrix surface.

A method of forming aligned patterns on a mat contains steps of: (1). providing a main die configured to mold a body on a substrate; (2). forming multiple patterns on the body so as to produce a decoration portion; (3). forming a toothed cutting line on the body by ways of the alignment mark line so as to form multiple connection units on which multiple patterns are formed respectively, thus producing the mat; and (4). aligning the multiple patterns on the mat so as to provide or design the decoration portion on the multiple patterns, wherein the mat is disassembled to multiple coupling parts, and the multiple coupling parts of the mat are connected with another mat, thus producing an expandable mat.

A method of forming aligned patterns on a mat contains steps of: (1). providing a main die configured to mold a body on a substrate; (2). forming multiple patterns on the body so as to produce a decoration portion; (3). forming a toothed cutting line on the body by ways of the alignment mark line so as to form multiple connection units on which multiple patterns are formed respectively, thus producing the mat; and (4). aligning the multiple patterns on the mat so as to provide or design the decoration portion on the multiple patterns, wherein the mat is disassembled to multiple coupling parts, and the multiple coupling parts of the mat are connected with another mat, thus producing an expandable mat.

A method for producing a component includes forming a component body having a surface by an additive build-up operation from a hardenable material which is built up in an additive manner or providing the component body having the surface which is formed by the additive build-up operation from the hardenable material which is built up in the additive manner. The method further includes hardening the surface of the component body and forming a surface texture on the surface of the component body prior to the hardening of the surface of the component body and/or during the hardening of the surface of the component body.

A method for producing a component includes forming a component body having a surface by an additive build-up operation from a hardenable material which is built up in an additive manner or providing the component body having the surface which is formed by the additive build-up operation from the hardenable material which is built up in the additive manner. The method further includes hardening the surface of the component body and forming a surface texture on the surface of the component body prior to the hardening of the surface of the component body and/or during the hardening of the surface of the component body.

A sealing member for a powder slush molding apparatus includes an elastomeric main body comprising a head portion, an anchor portion, and a neck portion extending between and joining the head portion and the anchor portion. The head portion of the sealing member defines at least one interior channel that is centered on a midline of the elastomeric main body and which has a polygonal sectional shape. The polygonal sectional shape of the at least one interior channel, and its location on the midline, permits the head portion of the sealing member to attain a measure of compressibility that helps limit the force needed to compress the head portion without rendering the sealing member too flexible that it cannot adequately retain its shape. The sealing member is useful in establishing a seal between a shell and a powder box of a powder slush molding apparatus.

A sealing member for a powder slush molding apparatus includes an elastomeric main body comprising a head portion, an anchor portion, and a neck portion extending between and joining the head portion and the anchor portion. The head portion of the sealing member defines at least one interior channel that is centered on a midline of the elastomeric main body and which has a polygonal sectional shape. The polygonal sectional shape of the at least one interior channel, and its location on the midline, permits the head portion of the sealing member to attain a measure of compressibility that helps limit the force needed to compress the head portion without rendering the sealing member too flexible that it cannot adequately retain its shape. The sealing member is useful in establishing a seal between a shell and a powder box of a powder slush molding apparatus.

A method for making a biocompatible three-dimensional heart valve includes delivering, using at least one delivery unit, a biocompatible fluid substance towards a mold having a mold surface to obtain a coating layer of predetermined thickness that coats the mold surface, where the biocompatible fluid substance includes a plurality of particles; handling the mold and the delivery unit to provide a relative movement with at least three degrees of freedom between the mold and the delivery unit, the mold coated with the biocompatible fluid substance that is delivered to obtain a three-dimensional heart valve having a surface corresponding to the mold surface; removing, using a suction and blowing device, from the mold any surplus particles of the biocompatible fluid substance dispensed to make uniform the predetermined thickness of the coating layer; and pressing a counter mold on the coating layer deposited on the mold after delivering the biocompatible fluid substance.

A method for making a biocompatible three-dimensional heart valve includes delivering, using at least one delivery unit, a biocompatible fluid substance towards a mold having a mold surface to obtain a coating layer of predetermined thickness that coats the mold surface, where the biocompatible fluid substance includes a plurality of particles; handling the mold and the delivery unit to provide a relative movement with at least three degrees of freedom between the mold and the delivery unit, the mold coated with the biocompatible fluid substance that is delivered to obtain a three-dimensional heart valve having a surface corresponding to the mold surface; removing, using a suction and blowing device, from the mold any surplus particles of the biocompatible fluid substance dispensed to make uniform the predetermined thickness of the coating layer; and pressing a counter mold on the coating layer deposited on the mold after delivering the biocompatible fluid substance.

A directional air knife, components thereof, and associated methods. The air knife includes a housing that comprises an inlet opening which receives air under pressure into the housing along a first inlet axis. A chamber is defined within the housing and positioned to receive air that passes through the inlet opening along the first inlet axis. A discharge duct is defined by the housing and includes a discharge channel within the discharge duct. The discharge channel is in fluid communication with the chamber which receives the air under pressure. The housing defines an outlet opening through which the air under pressure passes out of the discharge duct. The discharge channel has a second central axis along which the air under pressure flows to the outlet opening and out of the housing. The second central axis is arranged with respect to the first inlet axis at a skew angle.