A preform station for forming a flexible semi-finished product and for transforming a flexible semi-finished product into a geometrically stable preform is provided. The preform station comprises a first pin array having a multitude of pins, on which the semi-finished product can be draped. Furthermore, the pins are movable along their longitudinal directions in order to form the flexible semi-finished product. Furthermore, the preform station comprises an activation device for activating a binder of the semi-finished product such that the semi-finished product can be transformed into the geometrically stable preform.

To provide a data conversion device capable of generating data necessary for shaping a target object using an inkjet method from three-dimensional data in accordance with an impact diameter. Grid data generation section of data conversion device generates grid data obtained by defining layer data by each grid region indicating a position to which a droplet is ejected by the inkjet method. Ejection position change section changes the position (ejection region) to which the droplet is ejected on grid data, based on impact diameter when the droplet is ejected and length of grid regions.

A system for peen-forming of thermoplastic composite material is provided. The system includes a tool, a heater, and a peen-forming device. The thermoplastic composite material is positioned on the tool, which supports the thermoplastic composite material as it is being process. The tool has a surface to which a portion of the thermoplastic composite material is intended to conform. The heater is configured to heat the thermoplastic composite material while it is positioned on the tool to make the thermoplastic composite material more malleable. The peen-forming device directs particles against the thermoplastic composite material positioned on the tool so that the portion of the thermoplastic composite material conforms to the surface of the tool.

An optically shaping apparatus includes a light modulation element having a plurality of pixels and configured to modulate light from a light source for each pixel, an optical system configured to irradiate modulation light from the light modulation element onto the photocurable resin through the light-transmissive portion, a controller configured to control the light modulation element based on each of a plurality of two-dimensional shape data corresponding to a plurality of sections in a three-dimensional object, and a moving member configured to move a cured portion cured by the modulation light among the photocurable resin in a direction separating from the light-transmissive portion. The controller controls an irradiation timing of the modulation light onto the photocurable resin for each pixel to form the cured portion corresponding to the same section in the three-dimensional object, in accordance with information on a shape of the light-transmissive portion.

A method for processing phase change material includes providing pieces of phase change material having a transition temperature, the pieces of phase change material being in a solid phase. A medium is provided which is transformable from a liquid state to a solid state, the medium is in the liquid state and at a temperature which is below the transition temperature of the pieces of phase change material. The pieces of phase change material are combined with the medium to form a mixture. The mixture is supplied to a tool which forms a phase change material product. The medium is then transformed to the solid state.

A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating buckypaper or similar sheets of nanostructures having relatively high aspect ratios. A dispersion of nanostructures such as nanotubes is subjected to fluid dynamics/forces which promote alignment of their axes of elongation while in suspension in the flow. An agglomeration of better aligned nanostructures is isolated from the carrier fluid into a useable form. In the case of nanotubes, one form is buckypaper. One example of alignment forces is Taylor-Couette flow shear forces. One example of isolation is filtering the flowing dispersion to collect better aligned nanostructures across the filter into a sheet or film. The degree of alignment can produce anisotropic material properties that can be beneficially used in application of the sheet or film.

A method of forming a composite article. One step involves applying adhesive on surfaces of a plurality of sublaminate units, each ply of each sublaminate unit comprising fibers impregnated with resin which has been initially cured to 30% to 50% of full cure. The initially cured sublaminate units are then arranged in a stack, which stack is pressed against a surface of a forming tool. While pressure is being applied, the stack is heated to an intermediate temperature above a glass transition temperature of the resin for a time interval sufficient to intermediately cure the resin to 50% to 70% of full cure to form a composite laminate having a contour defined by the surface of the forming tool. Then the resin is finally cured at a final temperature higher than the intermediate temperature.

A support for supporting a workpiece from below efficiently while reducing the amount of necessary materials, and a shaping method for shaping the workpiece and support efficiently includes a hollow state support for supporting a workpiece from below, and the hollow state support has a lattice form with crossing of straight linear or curved columnar bodies, wherein a sintered strength at a connecting region with the workpiece is lower than the sintered strength at the other regions.

Joining regions in sandwich sheets having a plastic core layer disposed between two metal cover layers are desirable for purposes of joining sandwich sheets to other components by, for instance, fasteners and/or welded joints. Methods and apparatuses for producing such joining regions in sandwich sheets allow for durably form-fitting and/or force-fitting joints between the sandwich sheets and other components. Some methods may involve displacing plastic material of the core layer of the sandwich sheet out of the region to be joined. A predetermined force may be exerted perpendicular to a surface of the region to be joined when the core layer of the sandwich sheet is heated so that the plastic material of the core layer is softened and at least partially displaced. In turn, the metal cover layers of the sandwich sheet may be brought into contact with one another in the region to be joined.

The present invention concerns an apparatus for making a three-dimensionally curved object, said apparatus comprising a membrane having a moulding surface, which is configurable into a predetermined shape by individually adjusting an array of actuators acting on the surface opposite the moulding surface of said membrane, wherein the membrane is a ferromagnetic membrane and the actuators are provided with magnetic joints at the distal ends of said actuators.