The invention generally relates to shape memory films that are tri-functionally crosslinked and that comprise multiple, non-terminal, phenylethynyl moieties. In addition, the present invention relates methods of fabricating such films. Due to the improved properties of such SMPS, the SMP designer can program in to the SMP mechanical property enhancements that make the SMP suitable, among other things, for advanced sensors, high temperature actuators, responder matrix materials and heat responsive packaging.

This apparatus for manufacturing a laminate comprises: a first sheet transporting device for transporting a first sheet; a water supply device for supplying an aqueous medium to the surface of the first sheet coated with a silane coupling agent and/or the surface of a second sheet coated with a silane coupling agent; and a laminating device for attaching the first sheet and the second sheet which have been supplied with the aqueous medium.

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.

A thermoformable sheet transfer system is provided having at least one frame, and upstream conveyor, a sheet cutter, and a downstream sheet manipulator. The upstream conveyor is configured to deliver a series of shots of formed articles in a thermoformed sheet from an exit end of an article forming station. The sheet cutter is carried by the at least one frame provided proximate the conveyor downstream of the article forming station and is configured to cut a leading edge of the formed articles and sheet sufficiently formed to index within dies of an article trim press. The downstream sheet manipulator is carried by the at least one frame and is configured to transport the leading edge and the sufficiently formed articles and sheet for delivery in sequential shots from downstream an article forming station to upstream an article trim station. A method is also provided.

A shaping apparatus, a shaping method and a shaped object are provided. The shaping apparatus for shaping a shaped object that is stereoscopic and in which at least one part is colored is provided and includes: inkjet heads which are coloring heads that eject a coloring ink; an inkjet head which is a light reflective material head that ejects a white ink to become a light reflective material; and a controller. The shaped object including a region to be colored is shaped as the shaped object. At least a part of the region to be colored is formed by arranging a plurality of color cells set in advance as a unit of coloring. Each of the color cells includes a reflective core formed of the white ink, and an outer peripheral portion formed of the coloring ink.

The tube is stretchable. The tube is stretched by applying tension in a longitudinal direction. The tube returns to its short state by releasing the above-described tension applied in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of protrusions are formed on an inner surface of the tube. Each of the plurality of protrusions extends in a circumferential direction. The plurality of protrusions are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the tube. A pitch of the protrusions is less than or equal to 1.5 μm.

A thermoforming method includes forming a skin comprising a plurality of plies thermoplastic resin and fiber, securing an edge of the skin to a mandrel, heating, via a heating element, the skin to a forming temperature, moving a thermoforming apparatus with respect to the mandrel, rolling at least one roller of the thermoforming apparatus along the skin in a direction away from the clamped edge of the skin in response to the thermoforming apparatus moving with respect to the mandrel, and in response to the at least one roller of the thermoforming apparatus rolling along the skin, compressing the skin between the at least one roller and the mandrel, consolidating the plurality of plies of material, and bending the skin to conform to a shape of the mandrel. The consolidated and formed skin is then cooled and removed from the mandrel.

The present invention relates to roll-to-roll surface patterning by imprint method. A film of liquid phase resist is coated on a running web and subsequently brought into contact with a rolling replication tool with patterned features on its outer surface. In a simultaneous step, resist is 5 cured typically by heat or UV-light and patterned features on the rolling replication tool are replicated into the resist film during the contact with the replication tool. A major deficiency of conventional roll-to-roll imprinting is the generation of defects in the patterns due to trapped air. To overcome this limitation, the present invention describes a method and 10 apparatus to perform roll-to-roll imprinting under reduced-pressure or vacuum conditions.

A fiber-orientation system for a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a first tool, and a second tool that, in combination with the first tool, defines a gap therebetween configured to define a flow path for a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic melt during an injection molding. A plurality of electrodes are disposed in the first tool. The electrodes have exposed ends disposed in or along the flow path such that the electrodes are configured to, when energized, orient fibers within the thermoplastic melt. This provides a localized, controllable modification of the orientation of the fibers within the melt.

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.