Systems and methods for laser trimming dental aligners include a model positioning system, an orientation determination system, and a laser trimming system. The model positioning system receives a physical dental model with a material thermoformed thereto. The dental model includes an orientation feature. The model positioning system moves the dental model to a position where the orientation feature is viewable by a camera. The camera captures an image of the orientation feature. The orientation determination system identifies an offset of the dental model by determining an actual orientation of the dental model based on the image of the orientation feature. The laser trimming system cuts the material from the dental model along a trim line while the fixture plate is moved about at least two axes relative to the laser trimming system.

A manufacturing system includes a first mandrel, a second mandrel, and laminate securing mechanisms. The first mandrel has a first mandrel surface and a first mandrel surface edge. The second mandrel has a second mandrel surface and a second mandrel surface edge, and is positionable in a closed position in which the first mandrel surface edge and the second mandrel surface edge are in contact to form a continuous mandrel surface collectively defined by the first mandrel surface and the second mandrel surface. The second mandrel translates to an open position defining a gap between the first mandrel surface edge and the second mandrel surface edge for receiving a forming die. The laminate securing mechanisms secure the composite laminate on at least one of the first mandrel and the second mandrel during trimming and/or forming of the composite laminate.

A medical device includes a scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes inflating the delivery balloon during a diameter reduction to improve scaffold retention and maintaining an inflated balloon during the diameter reduction and prior and subsequent dwell periods.

Systems and methods are provided for fabricating preforms for composite parts. One embodiment is a method of creating a preform. The method includes conveying a web of fiber reinforced composite material in a process direction, disposing fiber reinforced composite material atop the web, conveying the web and the tow in the process direction to a cutting tool, and cutting out a preform comprising a combination of the tow and the web.

The present invention is for open cellular polyurethane foam comprising virgin foam and previously cured foam, methods of making the same, as well as inner soles for footwear made therefrom.

A method for reinforcing an existing base structure with at least one reinforcing structure so as to form a support structure having the following steps: producing the at least one reinforcing structure, connecting the at least one reinforcing structure to the base structure such that the at least one reinforcing structure is connected to the base structure in a connection position and the base structure together with the at least one reinforcing structure forms the support structure. The at least one reinforcing structure is made of a composite material comprising fibers and a matrix by means of pultrusion and/or extrusion, and a pultrusion unit and/or an extrusion unit is moved in space such that the at least one reinforcing structure, is pultruded and/or extruded onto the base structure at the respective required connection position after the pultrusion and/or extrusion.

An apparatus and method for producing a film-covered component, having at least one assembly nest with at least one component section, on which a component to be covered can be arranged includes operating a film severing device. The film severing device is arranged on the assembly nest and has a severing element. The film severing device surrounds the component section at least partially laterally at a distance.

The automation of the assembly of a stack of substrates in the process of forming an object includes a blanking die having a push through plate to drive the blanked sheets onto a set of locating pins, thereby creating a very accurate stack. An image forming device may print and develop images onto a web that is subsequently die cut and stacked onto a curing platen. The die cutter cuts individual sheets out of the web and cuts or pre-cuts alignment holes into each sheet that would be accepted by the curing platen having locating pins corresponding to the alignment holes in the sheet. The die cutting operation includes a tamping device that would accurately transfer the sheets from the die to the curing platen. This stack may then be removed and/or processed to form a 3D object.

A mold, system and method for manufacturing a part includes injection molding a substrate in a single injection mold and optionally trimming the panel substrate. The substrate can have a first configuration or a second, different configuration. Trimming of the substrate can occur when the substrate has the first configuration to define an aperture in the substrate.

An acoustic system is disclosed. The acoustic system includes a sound absorptive substrate, and a rigid polyester shell configured to be positioned over the sound absorptive substrate. The rigid polyester shell is configured to be mounted on an interior surface of a building such that at least some sound waves pass through the rigid polyester shell. The shell is configured to provide aesthetic features to the acoustic system.