Disclosed herein is a transverse tensioning system that comprises a left-side clamping assembly comprising a first left-side clamp element and a second left-side clamp element. The first left-side clamp element and the second left-side clamp element clamp down on the left edge portion of the stack of plies when the stack of plies moves in a feed direction and is shaped between opposing dies. The system also comprises a right-side clamping assembly, spaced apart from the left-side clamping assembly and comprising a first right-side clamp element and a second right-side clamp element. The first right-side clamp element and the second right-side clamp element clamp down on the right edge portion of the stack of plies when the stack of plies moves in the feed direction and is shaped between the opposing dies.

Disclosed herein is a transverse tensioning system that comprises a left-side clamping assembly comprising a first left-side clamp element and a second left-side clamp element. The first left-side clamp element and the second left-side clamp element clamp down on the left edge portion of the stack of plies when the stack of plies moves in a feed direction and is shaped between opposing dies. The system also comprises a right-side clamping assembly, spaced apart from the left-side clamping assembly and comprising a first right-side clamp element and a second right-side clamp element. The first right-side clamp element and the second right-side clamp element clamp down on the right edge portion of the stack of plies when the stack of plies moves in the feed direction and is shaped between the opposing dies.

This manufacturing method of a molded surface fastener involves a primary molding step for forming a primary molded body and a secondary molding step for compressing a provisional element of the primary molded body while heating the same. A molding apparatus is provided with a mold member comprising multiple penetration holes and multiple concave portions, whereof each penetration hole communicates to at least one concave portion; in the primary molding step, the molding apparatus is used to form a primary molded body comprising a provisional element having a primary stem portion and a pawl portion is formed from the protruded portion by compressing the provisional element. By this means, it is possible to stably manufacture a molded surface fastener that has an engaging element comprising a pawl portion that projects from the outer peripheral edge of an engaging head portion.

An apparatus and process for forming material, the apparatus or process comprising at least one forming unit, each said forming unit having at least one forming opening to receive a feed of material to be formed, the at least one of said forming opening(s) comprises opposing or at least one forming surfaces, at least one of said opposing forming surfaces being dynamically controllable into a pre-determined shape or profile to impart a resultant shape or profile of a pre-determined formation upon the feed of material passing through said forming opening of a said forming unit.

A method of forming a corrugated fluoropolymer tube is disclosed. The method comprises the step of providing a tube comprising extruded fluoropolymer without corrugations or convolutions disposed on a mandrel. The mandrel has a first cylindrical portion and a flaring portion that extends to a second cylindrical portion, the second portion having an outer diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of the first portion. The method also includes the step of moving the tube on a longitudinal axis along the mandrel thereby forcing an outer surface of the tube into flights disposed at a pitch angle on a plurality of thread rollers which are rotating, the plurality of thread rollers adjacent to and circumferentially distributed around the flaring portion and/or second cylindrical portion of the mandrel, wherein external force is exerted on the outer surface of the tube to form corrugations having adjacent peaks and roots.

In this molded surface fastener, an engaging element includes a columnar stem portion, and micro pawl portions protruding outward from an upper end outer peripheral edge of the stem portion in a plan view of the engaging elements. A pawl width dimension of the micro pawl portions is smaller than a line segment connecting two points on the upper end outer peripheral edge of the stem portion. The micro pawl portions protrude toward a base portion. This molded surface fastener has a high peel strength and a shear strength with respect to a female surface fastener.

In this molded surface fastener, an engaging element includes a columnar stem portion, and micro pawl portions protruding outward from an upper end outer peripheral edge of the stem portion in a plan view of the engaging elements. A pawl width dimension of the micro pawl portions is smaller than a line segment connecting two points on the upper end outer peripheral edge of the stem portion. The micro pawl portions protrude toward a base portion. This molded surface fastener has a high peel strength and a shear strength with respect to a female surface fastener.

A one-piece component comprising a tetrahedral-octahedral honeycomb lattice is disclosed herein, along with a mold, a system and methods of making the component. A one-piece component comprising a truncated tetrahedral-octahedral honeycomb lattice also is disclosed, along with corresponding molds, systems and methods.

A one-piece component comprising a tetrahedral-octahedral honeycomb lattice is disclosed herein, along with a mold, a system and methods of making the component. A one-piece component comprising a truncated tetrahedral-octahedral honeycomb lattice also is disclosed, along with corresponding molds, systems and methods.

An apparatus and method for consolidating a pipe that has been wrapped with reinforcing tape, is provided. The apparatus comprises two or more pipe consolidation devices, each having a first end, a second end, and comprising: first and second support members arranged at the first end and having a gap therebetween; and an optional third support member at the second end. Each device further comprises a peripheral band that extends around the first, second, and optionally the third support members and is substantially unsupported in the gap between the first and second support members. The apparatus additionally comprises a mounting plate having a central aperture, and two or more of the devices mounted on the mounting plate such that the first end of each device is arranged bearing against a pipe extending through the central aperture. A method of manufacturing reinforced pipe is also provided.