A device for sealing sample tubes comprises a tool assembly configured to interface with a rack (10) holding a plurality of sample storage tubes (20), the tool assembly holding a plurality of punches (322) and a die plate (324) including a plurality of cutting holes, with each of the plurality of cutting holes accepting one of the plurality of punches (322). The tool assembly receives a foil sheet (131) between the punches (322) and the die plate (324). The device includes an actuator enabling linear movement of the tool assembly. Linear movement of the tool assembly towards the rack (10) engages the die plate (324) against the rack (10) and punches the punches (322) through the cutting holes of the die plate (324) to punch a plurality of sealing sections from the foil sheet (131) and to press and seal each of the sealing sections against a top end of each of the plurality of sample storage tubes (20) in the rack (10).

The method for producing a strip of material with an integrated electronic component comprises the following steps according to the present invention: feeding a material web, cutting a first piece of material from the material web, lifting the first piece of material, applying an electronic component to the material web, once again feeding the material web with the electronic component located on it, cutting a piece of material from the material web to obtain a second piece of material on which the electronic component is located, and applying the first piece of material to the second piece of material so that the electronic component is accommodated between the first piece of material and the second piece of material.

Multifunction end effector apparatus and methods for assembling thermoplastic composite articles are disclosed. An example apparatus for assembling a thermoplastic composite article includes a robot and an end effector coupled to the robot. The end effector includes a cutting head, a vacuum head, and a welding head.

A composite article assembly arrangement includes an all-in-one assembly station for supporting certain two-workpiece or composite article assembly methodologies with a view toward a preferred lid assembly application. The all-in-one assembly station includes a stationary main base plate, opposed intermediate compactor plates, and opposed outer plates, which compactor plates and outer plates are movable relative to the stationary main base plate. One or more continuous webs bearing thermoformed first and second workpieces are directed through the assembly station, which assembly station operates to both separate the first and second workpieces from the web(s) as directed therethrough and assemble the first and second workpieces in one clapping movement of the compactor plates and outer plates relative to the main base plate. The main base plate comprises an axial alignment chamber or cavity that operates to mechanically or structurally maintain axial alignment of the first and second workpieces during workpiece assembly.

An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object includes a 3D printing head, for fabricating a first portion of the 3D object by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material. The apparatus also includes a delivery head for fabricating a second portion of the 3D object by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material. Further, the delivery head includes comprising a roller for pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place during the dispensing thereof. A controller controls the 3D printing head and the delivery head to cooperatively form the 3D object, based on a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model.

A composite article assembly arrangement includes an all-in-one assembly station for supporting certain two-workpiece or composite article assembly methodologies with a view toward a preferred lid assembly application. The all-in-one assembly station includes a stationary main base plate, opposed intermediate compactor plates, and opposed outer plates, which compactor plates and outer plates are movable relative to the stationary main base plate. One or more continuous webs bearing thermoformed first and second workpieces are directed through the assembly station, which assembly station operates to both separate the first and second workpieces from the web(s) as directed therethrough and assemble the first and second workpieces in one clapping movement of the compactor plates and outer plates relative to the main base plate. The main base plate comprises an axial alignment chamber or cavity that operates to mechanically or structurally maintain axial alignment of the first and second workpieces during workpiece assembly.

An apparatus and method for applying discrete segments to a continuous web includes feeding a first continuous web to a roller, the first continuous web comprising one or more layers, feeding a second continuous web to a vacuum anvil, cutting the first continuous web into a plurality of discrete segments via interaction of the roller with at least one cutting element selectively positionable adjacent the roller, transferring each of the plurality of discrete segments from the roller onto the second continuous web at a first location and via a vacuum pressure from the vacuum anvil, and bonding each of the plurality of discrete segments to the second continuous web at a second location downstream from the first location in a machine direction, each of the plurality of discrete segments bonded to the second continuous web via interaction of the vacuum anvil with a bonding device positioned at the second location.

A therapeutic device includes a generally rigid but elastically deformable sheet body including a bridge portion, first and second support portions extending outwardly from the bridge portion in opposite directions along a longitudinal dimension, and adhesive or an adhesion member on a first surface along the bridge portion that is adapted for adhesion to skin of a user above a target site. The therapeutic device also includes first and second projections on the first surface proximate to lateral edges of the sheet body. The sheet body is configured to assume a neutral configuration in which the first and second projections space the bridge portion and the adhesive or the adhesion member apart from the target site by an air gap, a depressed position during affixation of the first surface to the target site, and an adhesion configuration after affixation of the first surface to the target site.

A method for mending damaged areas in fiber composite components formed from a plurality of unidirectional fiber layers includes the steps of automatically lifting at least one fiber layer of the fiber composite component at a cutting edge of the at least one fiber layer using a delaminating device, removing the at least one fiber layer in the extension direction of the fiber orientation of the at least one fiber layer, and separating off the removed at least one fiber layer in a defined manner at a separating edge defined by a separating device placed on the fiber composite component.

A therapeutic device has a bridge portion adapted for releasable adherence to a patch of skin so as to lift the patch of skin above a sensitive underlying treatment site in reducing discomfort or pain associated with tissue compression at the treatment site. The bridge portion is elevated above the treatment site with an exposed adhesive facing the patch of skin to be lifted and/or stretched outwardly. With the application of pressure to elastically deform the device from its original neutral configuration, the bridge portion is brought into contact with the patch of skin, adhering the skin to the adhesive. When the pressure is removed, the device rebounds and generally reassumes its original configuration with the bridge portion lifting the attached patch of skin.