A consumable filament for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, where the consumable filament comprises a core portion of a matrix of a first base polymer and particles dispersed within the matrix, and a shell portion comprising a same or a different base polymer. The consumable filament is configured to be melted and extruded to form roads of a plurality of solidified layers of a three-dimensional part, and where the roads at least partially retain cross-sectional profiles corresponding to the core portion and the shell portion of the consumable filament and retain the particles within the roads of the printed part and do not penetrate the outer surface of the shell portion.

A consumable filament for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, where the consumable filament comprises a core portion of a matrix of a first base polymer and particles dispersed within the matrix, and a shell portion comprising a same or a different base polymer. The consumable filament is configured to be melted and extruded to form roads of a plurality of solidified layers of a three-dimensional part, and where the roads at least partially retain cross-sectional profiles corresponding to the core portion and the shell portion of the consumable filament and retain the particles within the roads of the printed part and do not penetrate the outer surface of the shell portion.

A fabrication method for fabricating an equipment part for an automotive vehicle. The method includes the following steps. Supplying a sheet comprising ceramic fibers and thermofusible polymer fibers, the melting temperature of the thermofusible polymer being higher than 200 C. Heating the sheet, at a temperature higher than 200 C., so as to melt the thermofusible polymer. Applying a fabric on the sheet, the fabric comprising filament yarns having a core made of polymer presenting a softening point temperature that is higher than or equal to 200 C. And then thermoforming of the fabric and the sheet in a conforming mold.

New methods and self-clamping snap configurations are disclosed for improved production of hollow tube profiles made from polymeric resin reinforced with glass fibers. A continuous hollow profile is constructed from two or more non-hollow pultruded rails that are assembled together. Specifically, each rail may be formed with snap members that extend along the rail's entire length. The snap configuration is self-clamping to permit the rails to be adhesively bonded without the need for external clamps during assembly.

Disclosed is a method of forming an article from a unidirectional (UD) tape comprising a continuous unidirectional fiber impregnated with polymer resin. The method includes winding a continuous section of cold UD tape to form a closed loop preform (38) comprising a plurality of stacked layers while discretely welding and consolidating the wound preform by heating and applying pressure.

Disclosed is a method of forming an article from a unidirectional (UD) tape comprising a continuous unidirectional fiber impregnated with polymer resin. The method includes winding a continuous section of cold UD tape to form a closed loop preform (38) comprising a plurality of stacked layers while discretely welding and consolidating the wound preform by heating and applying pressure.

To achieve universal welding of thermoplastic workpiece parts with simple equipment, an infrared light transmission welding method is disclosed in which simple polychromatic, incoherent infrared light is generated by a simple infrared light source and is directed through a first workpiece part to a weld point for the purposes of connection to a second workpiece part. In particular, the infrared light is directed through a transparent bracing element.

To achieve universal welding of thermoplastic workpiece parts with simple equipment, an infrared light transmission welding method is disclosed in which simple polychromatic, incoherent infrared light is generated by a simple infrared light source and is directed through a first workpiece part to a weld point for the purposes of connection to a second workpiece part. In particular, the infrared light is directed through a transparent bracing element.

A computer-controlled method for forming a composition-controlled product using 3D printing includes disposing two or more liquid reactant compositions in respective two or more reservoirs; and mixing the two or more liquid reactant compositions, which in turn includes controlling by the computer a mass ratio of the mixed two or more liquid reactant compositions. The computer-controlled method further includes scanning, under control of the computer, a mixed liquid reactants nozzle over a substrate; depositing the mixed liquid reactant compositions onto the substrate; and operating, under control of the computer, a light source to polymerize the deposited mixed liquid reactant compositions.

First and second composite members each containing first discontinuous fibers of fiber length La, are placed such that end surfaces thereof face each other at an interval of first length L1. Ends of the first and second composite members are melted over a second length L2 from the end surfaces. A connecting member containing second discontinuous fibers of fiber length Lb, is melted and placed to bridge a space between the ends, to form a stack. The stack is pressed, whereby the melted connecting member and the melted end portions flow into the space between the end surfaces to form a mixture portion. The mixture portion is cooled and solidified to produce a fiber-reinforced resin bonded body. The first length L1 is equal to or more than of the fiber length Lb, and the second length L2 is equal to or more than the fiber length La.