In a the vacuum forming machine having a pre-blowing lower chamber, a lower space located at the lower side of a raw material which is thermally expanded in a heating process for vacuum forming is sealed and the preset amount of air is introduced into the lower space of the raw material by a blowing device installed to communicate with the sealed lower space of the raw material such that the sagging of the raw material is prevented, whereby the vacuum forming of the raw material whose entire portion is uniformly heated is performed, thereby securing even thickness of the raw material.

A single-station additive manufacturing and thermoforming machine includes a heated bed forming a perforated print surface, a print head pivotable between a stowed position and a range of printing locations relative to the heated bed, and a thermoforming subassembly. The thermoforming subassembly is vertically movable relative to the heated bed to position a thermoforming sheet at a raised location to be heated to a plastic state, and a lowered position for vacuum forming over one or more printed parts upon the heated bed. The disclosure provides a fluid process between additive manufacturing and thermoforming where no interaction is needed from an operator in between additive manufacturing process stopping and thermoforming starting. The device can be easily increased in size to allow for larger parts to be manufactured and formed, while also providing a print bed that allows for air topass through for vacuum thermoforming, while also being heated.

A single-station additive manufacturing and thermoforming machine includes a heated bed forming a perforated print surface, a print head pivotable between a stowed position and a range of printing locations relative to the heated bed, and a thermoforming subassembly. The thermoforming subassembly is vertically movable relative to the heated bed to position a thermoforming sheet at a raised location to be heated to a plastic state, and a lowered position for vacuum forming over one or more printed parts upon the heated bed. The disclosure provides a fluid process between additive manufacturing and thermoforming where no interaction is needed from an operator in between additive manufacturing process stopping and thermoforming starting. The device can be easily increased in size to allow for larger parts to be manufactured and formed, while also providing a print bed that allows for air topass through for vacuum thermoforming, while also being heated.

The present invention relates to a 3D-formable sheet material, a process for the preparation of a 3D-formed article, the use of a cellulose material and at least one particulate inorganic filler material for the preparation of a 3D-formable sheet material and for increasing the stretchability of a 3D-formable sheet material, the use of a 3D-formable sheet material in 3D-forming processes as well as a 3D-formed article comprising the 3D-formable sheet material according.

The present invention relates to a 3D-formable sheet material, a process for the preparation of a 3D-formed article, the use of a cellulose material and at least one particulate inorganic filler material for the preparation of a 3D-formable sheet material and for increasing the stretchability of a 3D-formable sheet material, the use of a 3D-formable sheet material in 3D-forming processes as well as a 3D-formed article comprising the 3D-formable sheet material according.

A method for manufacturing a luggage includes the steps: A) making a thermoplastic sheet into a shell, B) placing the shell body of the shell in an inner concave mold area of a heating mold and setting the shell edge of the shell to a frame mold area of the heating mold to correspond the outer surface of the shell to an inner wall surface of the heating mold, C) setting the outer surface of the thermoset carbon fiber plastic layer on the inner surface of the shell, D) setting the filling layer on the inner surface of the thermoset carbon fiber plastic layer within the frame mold area, E) expanding an air bag to the thermoset carbon fiber plastic layer and the filling layer and heating a heating mold, so that the shell, the thermoset carbon fiber plastic layer and the filling layer are combined with each other.

A method for manufacturing a luggage includes the steps: A) making a thermoplastic sheet into a shell, B) placing the shell body of the shell in an inner concave mold area of a heating mold and setting the shell edge of the shell to a frame mold area of the heating mold to correspond the outer surface of the shell to an inner wall surface of the heating mold, C) setting the outer surface of the thermoset carbon fiber plastic layer on the inner surface of the shell, D) setting the filling layer on the inner surface of the thermoset carbon fiber plastic layer within the frame mold area, E) expanding an air bag to the thermoset carbon fiber plastic layer and the filling layer and heating a heating mold, so that the shell, the thermoset carbon fiber plastic layer and the filling layer are combined with each other.

According to the present invention, provided are a liquid crystal film for three-dimensional molding from which a three-dimensional molded body which is excellent in reproducibility of image light can be obtained during image light irradiation, a three-dimensional molded body, and a method of manufacturing the three-dimensional molded body. A liquid crystal film for three-dimensional molding includes: a substrate; and a functional layer, the functional layer includes a liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal layer is made from a liquid crystal composition, and a rubbing haze variation of an outermost surface of the functional layer is 0.80% or less.

According to the present invention, provided are a liquid crystal film for three-dimensional molding from which a three-dimensional molded body which is excellent in reproducibility of image light can be obtained during image light irradiation, a three-dimensional molded body, and a method of manufacturing the three-dimensional molded body. A liquid crystal film for three-dimensional molding includes: a substrate; and a functional layer, the functional layer includes a liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal layer is made from a liquid crystal composition, and a rubbing haze variation of an outermost surface of the functional layer is 0.80% or less.

Method of forming a container having a rolled rim, including providing a thermoformable sheet, and thermoforming the sheet to form a hollow body. The hollow body has an open first end and an opposite closed second end with a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, and a rim structure formed at the first end of the hollow body. The rim structure includes an inner wall portion, a flange, and a skirt. The method further includes coining an upper section of the inner wall portion of the rim to form a controlled inner diameter, and rolling the rim structure to form a rigid rolled rim along an outer diameter of the open first end of the hollow body, the skirt extending toward the sidewall after being rolled.