A method for manufacturing a rotor blade component of a rotor blade includes feeding a flat sheet of material into a thermoforming system, wherein the material comprises at least one of a thermoplastic or thermoset material. The method also includes heating the flat sheet of material via the thermoforming system. Further, the method includes shaping the heated flat sheet of material via at least one roller of the thermoforming system into a desired curved shape. Moreover, the method includes dispensing the shaped sheet of material from the thermoforming system. In addition, the method includes cooling the shaped sheet of material to form the rotor blade component.

A method includes positioning a first polymer sheet on a substantially first flat surface of a tool, positioning a second polymer sheet on the first polymer sheet, and moving a second substantially flat surface of the tool into contact with the second polymer sheet. The method also includes maintaining a gap between the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet at a predetermined area and heating one of the two substantially flat surfaces of the tool to heat one of the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet. The method further includes joining the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet together at locations outside of the predetermined area to define a peripheral bond of the chamber.

A method includes positioning a first polymer sheet on a substantially first flat surface of a tool, positioning a second polymer sheet on the first polymer sheet, and moving a second substantially flat surface of the tool into contact with the second polymer sheet. The method also includes maintaining a gap between the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet at a predetermined area and heating one of the two substantially flat surfaces of the tool to heat one of the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet. The method further includes joining the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet together at locations outside of the predetermined area to define a peripheral bond of the chamber.

A method of manufacturing a furniture panel includes placing the frame on a top of a mold, the frame at an outer edge being formed with a protrusion; shaping the plastic blank sheet by vacuum forming such that the plastic blank sheet wraps the frame and the mold; demolding and trimming, so that the trimmed plastic blank sheet wraps the protrusion of the frame and the frame is embedded in the trimmed plastic blank sheet. The method is efficient, implementing the process of wrapping a frame within a plastic panel in a simple fashion, and the panel formed smooth in profile. The panel is resistant to deformation and has a prolonged service life.

A method of manufacturing a furniture panel includes placing the frame on a top of a mold, the frame at an outer edge being formed with a protrusion; shaping the plastic blank sheet by vacuum forming such that the plastic blank sheet wraps the frame and the mold; demolding and trimming, so that the trimmed plastic blank sheet wraps the protrusion of the frame and the frame is embedded in the trimmed plastic blank sheet. The method is efficient, implementing the process of wrapping a frame within a plastic panel in a simple fashion, and the panel formed smooth in profile. The panel is resistant to deformation and has a prolonged service life.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom surface and to a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom surface and to a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.

In a stacked workpiece molding method, a second mold 30 includes through-holes 32 that extend to be opened at a peripheral edge of a workpiece body 42, the through-holes 32 are connected to a first suction device 51 that sucks a sheet material 44, a first mold 20 includes suction holes 22 that extend to be opened at a portion that contacts the workpiece body 42, the suction holes 22 are connected to a second suction device 52 that sucks the workpiece body 42, and in a bonding step of bonding the sheet material 44 to the workpiece body 42, a suction force in the through-holes 32 by the first suction device 51 is set stronger than a suction force in the suction holes 22 by the second suction device 52.

In a stacked workpiece molding method, a second mold 30 includes through-holes 32 that extend to be opened at a peripheral edge of a workpiece body 42, the through-holes 32 are connected to a first suction device 51 that sucks a sheet material 44, a first mold 20 includes suction holes 22 that extend to be opened at a portion that contacts the workpiece body 42, the suction holes 22 are connected to a second suction device 52 that sucks the workpiece body 42, and in a bonding step of bonding the sheet material 44 to the workpiece body 42, a suction force in the through-holes 32 by the first suction device 51 is set stronger than a suction force in the suction holes 22 by the second suction device 52.

Polymeric shells which fit over one or more natural teeth to change the perceived color of the teeth, and optionally to provide orthodontic support. The shells can be prepared by thermoforming selected polymeric sheets which contain optical additives over a physical image of the teeth, or by depositing polymeric compositions containing optical additives over a physical image of the teeth, or by additive manufacturing based upon a digital image of the teeth. The optical additives cause the combination of the shell and the teeth to have a desired appearance. At least part of the shell preferably has transparency greater than 75%, particularly greater than 85%.