Techniques for integrating a machine-readable matrix with a component of a mechanical structure using three-dimensional (3-D) printing are disclosed. Such techniques include generating at least one data model representing the component, and projecting a matrix pattern identifying one or more features of the component onto a selected surface portion of the component to produce a modified data model for use as an input to a 3-D printer.

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.

A method for producing a sealing element for forming a seal on a vehicle body, in particular a vehicle door; in the method, a profiled strip section is subjected to punching, and/or an additional element portion of the sealing element is molded onto a profited strip section. The profiled strip section is provided with a projection that extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip, and the projection is used for positioning the profiled strip section relative to a punching die or injection mold in the longitudinal direction of the strip.

A method for thermoforming an article includes extruding a sheet of material, conditioning the sheet with a roller, thermoforming the sheet to provide a web, and cutting the web to provide the article.

The present disclosure discloses an anti-fatigue mat and methods for making the same. The method for making an anti-fatigue mat includes providing a leather comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, forming a color layer on the first surface, cutting the leather, putting the cut leather into a mold, injecting an elastomeric material into the mold, curing the elastomeric material to form an elastic layer on the second surface and a plurality of concave structures corresponding to the plurality of protruding structures on the first surface, and polishing the first surface to remove the color layer without caving towards the second surface. The anti-fatigue mat can have anti-fatigue performance and vivid stereoscopic impression, where being simple to fabricate with low costs and can be industrialized.

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 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.

The invention is directed to a balanced process for extrusion of a plastic corrugated sheet or blanks, and subsequent converting of the blanks into plastic boxes. The process includes conveying the blanks to a plurality of forming stations for incrementally forming features on the blank needed for forming a box. The present process is performed at a slower speed than typical paper corrugated forming.

A thermoforming device includes: an upper hot plate including a first heating surface configured to heat a sheet from above; a lower hot plate including a second heating surface configured to heat the sheet from below; and a substrate-supplying unit including a base configured to hold a molded substrate, and configured to attach the molded substrate to and detach the molded substrate from the base and to dispose the molded substrate at a molding position below the first heating surface with the sheet interposed therebetween, in which the upper hot plate and the lower hot plate are configured to heat the sheet simultaneously from an upper surface and a lower surface of the sheet, the lower hot plate is provided to be movable in a horizontal direction with respect to a position below the upper hot plate, and the thermoforming device die-molds or adheres, onto the molded substrate held by the base, the sheet softened by being heated by the upper hot plate and the lower hot plate.

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.