A thermoforming machine for manufacturing articles from a heated thermoplastic film includes a molding station, an extraction device, a hole punch; and a stacking station. The hole punch includes a pivotable lower punching tool which receives punched-out articles from the extraction device while being pivoted into a tilted position facing the extraction device and which pivots into a vertical 0 position to face an upper punching tool for punching operation.

A system and a method allow for the removal of excess material from a dental appliance. The system includes at least one 5-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine and at least one administrative computing system. The administrative computing system is used to determine the trim line for the dental appliance. The administrative computing system is also used to determine a tool path for an automated tool that is an integrated part of the 5-axis CNC machine. The tool path is then relayed from the administrative computing system to the 5-axis CNC machine. The 5-axis CNC machine is used to machine off the excess material from the dental appliance along the trim line, while the automated tool follows the tool path.

A laser machining method performing cutting machining to cut a composite material over a thickness direction thereof by applying a laser beam to the composite material. The method includes applying the laser beam from one side in the thickness direction of the composite material so as to form a first cutout in the composite material; and applying the laser beam from the other side in the thickness direction of the composite material, forming a second cutout in the composite material at a position opposing the first cutout, connecting the second cutout to the first cutout, and cutting the composite material. The first cutout is formed by applying the laser beam through a plurality of machining paths arranged in the width direction of the first cutout. The second cutout is formed by applying the laser beam through a plurality of machining paths arranged in the width direction of the second cutout.

An inspection device includes: an illumination device that irradiates standard and inspection objects with near-infrared light; a spectroscope that disperses reflected light; an imaging device that takes images of first and second optical spectrums of the reflected light dispersed by the spectroscope to obtain standard spectroscopic image data and inspection spectroscopic image data; and a processor. The processor executes a predetermined arithmetic operation with regard to at least one of (i) each pixel row of the standard spectroscopic image data perpendicular to a wavelength dispersion direction and (ii) each pixel column of the standard spectroscopic image data parallel to the wavelength dispersion direction. The processor, based on luminance values of pixels belonging to the pixel row or column, determines a characteristic of the pixel row and grasps a wavelength sensitivity characteristic of the imaging element under the near-infrared light emitted from the illumination device.

The present application relates to a method for producing a catheter tube. The method including sucking gas from a second end 43 of a tubular body 40 while introducing pressurized gas into a lumen 41 of the tubular body 40 from a first end 42 of the tubular body 40, so that an internal pressure is applied to the lumen 41 of the tubular body 40 by introducing the pressurized gas, and the tubular body 40 is delivered in a direction from the first end 42 to the second end 43 by sucking the gas from the second end 43 of the tubular body 40.

A method for producing an optical coupling element made of elastomer includes filling a free-flowing elastomer formulation or its constituents into a mold so as to produce a flat sheet whose thickness is adapted to a thickness of the optical coupling element that is to be produced. The elastomer formulation or its constituents is cured to form an inherently stable elastomer. Individual optical coupling elements are cut out of the flat sheet.

Exemplary embodiments relate to various improvements in soft robotic actuators, and techniques for manufacturing the improvements. For example, techniques for manufacturing a rigidizing layer for reinforcing a soft robotic actuator is provided. In another embodiment, a soft robotic actuator having integrated sensors is described. A flexible electroadhesive pad for achieving a conformal grip is also described. Still further, exemplary embodiments provide hydraulically-actuated soft robotic grippers, which allows for a reduction in the size of the actuation system and improved underwater operation.

A system for repairing a component made out of a plastic comprises a frame, a multiaxial guide device coupled with the frame, with a tool holder arranged thereon, an optical acquisition device, a processing device, and a plastic deposition device. The frame comprises a mounting device for retaining the frame on a component surface. The optical acquisition device, the processing device and the plastic deposition device are arranged on the tool holder. The optical acquisition device is set up to optically inspect a surface area of the component lying in proximity to the frame from at least one viewing angle, so as to acquire the spatial structure of the surface area. The processing device is set up to remove material of a damaged area from the component for generating a base surface with a desired structure and boundary edges.

A method for producing a component having locally different thicknesses includes the steps of providing a first laminate, arranging a release layer on the first laminate, providing a second laminate with a second surface correlating with the first surface of the first laminate, placing the second laminate with the second surface on the first surface so that the release section is enclosed, joining the first with the second laminate by heating and/or pressing, guiding a cutting tool along one release section correlating with the release section, and so that the separating section is included, joining the first to the second laminate by heating and/or pressing, guiding a cutting tool along one contour in the second laminate that correlates with the separating section, so that one segment of the second laminate is completely detached, and removing the detached segment so that a recess is formed in each case.

Provided are devices and methods of applying a film (120) to a first panel of a vehicle wherein the first panel is connected to a second panel of the vehicle by a joint area containing a ditch portion (52) that is recessed relative to the first panel. The method includes the steps of placing into the ditch portion (52) an elongated jig (100) that comprises a shim (102) extending continuously along the length of the ditch portion (52), the shim (102) protruding above a height of the first panel, applying the film (120) to the first and second panels such that the film (120) extends over the elongated jig (100), and then using a tool (122) to apply pressure against the film (120) and toward a cutting edge of the shim (102) along the length of the shim (102) to trim the film (120) along a peripheral edge. The elongated jig (100) can then be removed from the ditch portion (52), and the peripheral edge of the film (120) adhered to the ditch portion (52).