A distorted substrate is positioned in a predetermined position and corrected, thereby improving the substrate transfer efficiency. A transport unit capable of transporting and positioning a substrate includes a transport mechanism for transporting the substrate to an unloading position, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the substrate in the unloading position. The positioning mechanism includes a regulating member including at least two pairs of regulating portions capable of abutting against the opposing end faces of the substrate, an abutment moving mechanism for moving one regulating portion toward the other regulating portion in each of the at least two pairs of regulating portions, and a regulation moving mechanism capable of moving the regulating member in a direction in which the substrate is pressed.

A handheld tool for straightening a cable includes a straightening portion disposed in a housing portion. The straightening portion is configured to define a straightening path that extends in a longitudinal direction through the housing portion, and the straightening portion is structurally configured to engage a fiber cable that extends along the straightening path. The straightening portion is configured to spin freely relative to the housing portion such that the straightening portion is structurally configured to straighten a fiber cable that engages the straightening portion as the fiber cable is moved through the housing in the longitudinal direction. The housing portion is structurally configured to permit access to the straightening path from a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction in order to enhance placement of the fiber cable in the straightening path.

An apparatus (10) for producing reshaped plastic granules from a plurality of initial granules (12) with a predetermined shape is disclosed comprising: a feeding unit (20) for continuously receiving a plurality of said initial granules (12), a pressing unit (30) for mechanically reshaping the initial granules, said pressing unit comprising at least two opposite pressing surfaces (32) with a gap (34) therebetween, the width (W) of said gap ranging from 0 mm to 0.5 mm, a receiving chamber (40) for receiving the reshaped final granules (13) from the pressing unit, and a frame (50) for supporting the feeding unit, the pressing unit and the receiving chamber. A method is also provided to produce final granules by mechanically reshaping the initial granule, each final granule having a certain surface-to-volume ratio and a primary thickness of at most 0.7 mm within substantially the entire volume of the final granules.

An apparatus (10) for producing reshaped plastic granules from a plurality of initial granules (12) with a predetermined shape is disclosed comprising: a feeding unit (20) for continuously receiving a plurality of said initial granules (12), a pressing unit (30) for mechanically reshaping the initial granules, said pressing unit comprising at least two opposite pressing surfaces (32) with a gap (34) therebetween, the width (W) of said gap ranging from 0 mm to 0.5 mm, a receiving chamber (40) for receiving the reshaped final granules (13) from the pressing unit, and a frame (50) for supporting the feeding unit, the pressing unit and the receiving chamber. A method is also provided to produce final granules by mechanically reshaping the initial granule, each final granule having a certain surface-to-volume ratio and a primary thickness of at most 0.7 mm within substantially the entire volume of the final granules.

In one aspect, a method for manufacturing a composite material for structural applications may include steps of sawing and arranging bamboo woods into bamboo bundles; heating the bamboo bundles; dipping the bamboo bundles in phenolic resin; drying the bamboo bundles; arranging the bamboo bundles with the green surface facing outside and the yellow surface facing inside; and forming bamboo beams with a hot-pressing process.

In one aspect, a method for manufacturing a composite material for structural applications may include steps of sawing and arranging bamboo woods into bamboo bundles; heating the bamboo bundles; dipping the bamboo bundles in phenolic resin; drying the bamboo bundles; arranging the bamboo bundles with the green surface facing outside and the yellow surface facing inside; and forming bamboo beams with a hot-pressing process.

In a method for producing helical coils, in particular for coil screens, a filament is conveyed in a filament conveying direction through a first channel portion of a first rotation body, and subsequently conveyed through a second channel portion of a second rotation body which rotates synchronously with the first rotation body. The filament is subsequently wound around a protruding winding mandrel, such that a helical coil is produced from the filament by a continuous feed of the windings of the filament wound around the winding mandrel. A heated heating fluid flows with an excess pressure through the first channel portion and the second channel portion, arranged downstream, and in the process heats the filament conveyed through the first channel portion and subsequently through the second channel portion. The filament emerging from the second channel portion is deformed, using a deformation apparatus, prior to winding onto the winding mandrel.

The present disclosure relates to a method for conditioning a breathing tube for use in lung function diagnostics. This method is characterized by heating at least a section of a fully assembled breathing tube by a heating source to a temperature of at least 40 C., wherein heating is performed during a first time period, the first time period lasting between 0.1 seconds and 5 seconds wherein the section comprises at least one window covered by a mesh. The present disclosure also relates to a breathing tube that can be obtained by such a method.

A distorted substrate is positioned in a predetermined position and corrected, thereby improving the substrate transfer efficiency. A transport unit capable of transporting and positioning a substrate includes a transport mechanism for transporting the substrate to an unloading position, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the substrate in the unloading position. The positioning mechanism includes a regulating member including at least two pairs of regulating portions capable of abutting against the opposing end faces of the substrate, an abutment moving mechanism for moving one regulating portion toward the other regulating portion in each of the at least two pairs of regulating portions, and a regulation moving mechanism capable of moving the regulating member in a direction in which the substrate is pressed.

An apparatus and method for straightening filaments. The apparatus includes a transport device for transporting filaments; a heating device including a heating channel forming a transport path for the filaments; and a cooling device arranged downstream of the heating device in a direction of transport, including a cooling channel that continues the transport path for the filaments. Cross-sectional areas of the heating channel and the cooling channel at least partially overlap.