A method for producing a component from two or more sub-components includes the steps of: producing each of the sub-components using an additive manufacturing process in which a resin, which is radiant-energy-curable, is partially cured using a selective application of radiant energy, wherein each sub-component includes a joint surface in which the resin is partially cured which is cured to a lesser degree than the remainder of the respective sub-component, so as to leave the joint surfaces in a condition suitable for bonding; assembling the sub-components with their respective joint surfaces in mutual contact; and performing a secondary cure of the partially-cured resin at the joint surfaces using an application of radiant energy, so as to further cure the partially-cured resin and bond the sub-components to each other, thereby forming the component.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a composite crystal flooring. The composite crystal flooring may have a multi-layer structure. The composite crystal flooring may include a substrate layer. The substrate layer may include at least a first structural layer, a second structural layer, and a third structural layer. The second structural layer may be located between the first structural layer and the third structural layer. A foaming density of the second structural layer may be less than 1.1 grams per cubic millimeter. Components of the second structural layer may include polyvinyl chloride, one or more inorganic fillers, at least one foaming agent, at least one foaming regulator, at least one lubricating agent, and at least one stabilizer. The one or more inorganic fillers may include modified fly ash, hollow glass microbeads, and composite calcium. The composite crystal flooring with a low density may have good thermal stability and rigidity.

A method of manufacturing a bumper for impact absorption and a bumper for the impact absorption manufactured from the same are provided. The method includes: filling solid salts in a mold, injecting a molten metal into the mold, and solidifying the molten metal with the solid salts to obtain a solidified product, spraying water onto the solidified product to dissolve the solid salts, which results in obtaining a porous metal having pores, disposing the porous metal in an injection mold, and injecting-inserting a resin composite into the injection mold to surround the porous metal while filling at least a part of the pores in the porous metal.

A method of making a recycled plastic product includes collecting recyclable plastic materials. The recyclable plastic materials are separated into a plurality of single grade batches of recyclable plastic materials. Each single grade batch is ground into a single grade group of recyclable plastic chips. A single grade portion is weighed out from each single grade group of chips. Each single grade portion is equal in weight within a range of plus or minus 15 percent. Each single grade portion is mixed together to form a multiple grade mixture of recyclable plastic chips. The multiple grade mixture is heated to form a multiple grade blend of molten recyclable plastic. The multiple grade blend is cooled into a form of a solid recycled plastic product. The recycled plastic product comprises multiple grades of recyclable plastic and a volume large enough to encompass a 1.0-inch diameter sphere.

Disclosed are functional materials for use in additive manufacturing (AM). The functional material can comprise an elastomeric composition (e.g., a silicone composite) for use in, for example, direct ink writing. The elastomeric composition can include and elastomeric resin, and a magnetic nanorod filler dispersed within the elastomeric resin. Nanorod characteristics (e.g., length, diameter, aspect ratio) can be selected to create 3D-printed constructs with desired mechanical properties along different axes. Furthermore, since nickel nanorods are ferromagnetic, the spatial distribution and orientation of nanorods within the continuous phase can be controlled with an external magnetic field. This level of control over the nanostructure of the material system offers another degree of freedom in the design of functional parts and components with anisotropic properties. Magnetic fields can be used to remotely sense compression of the constructs, or alternatively, control the stiffness of these materials.

A thermoset bulk molding compound useful for making automotive components such as headlamps, as well as other articles of manufacture are described. The composition incorporates moisture absorbing components such as molecular sieves to absorb water present in the compound before molding, thus reducing or eliminating mold defects while retaining the physical properties needed for automotive applications. This results in an as-molded composition with a gloss measured at 60° of greater than 85 GU that can be, without the necessity of a base coat, metallized directly and have reflector quality and durability. The metallized molded components can undergo additional steps such as applying protective sealant layers, as required by the automotive application. The removal of water before molding and the direct metallization reduces the production time of the molded articles.

A method for assembling two tubes (1, 2) made from thermoplastic materials, that involves welding by heating two applied rotational contact surfaces of two parts of two tubes (1, 2), respectively, arranged end to end or overlapping coaxially (XX′). The method involves induction heating of at least one conductive welding element (4), arranged at the interface (3) between the two contact surfaces, by generating a magnetic field at said conductive welding element or elements, such that the melting of the thermoplastic materials constituting said contact surfaces produces a continuous and sealed weld at said interface on at least one closed loop along the entire perimeter of said interface.

Compositions comprising a fiber component, optionally a dispersing agent operable to disperse the fiber component to create a fiber matrix, a starch component distributed essentially throughout the fiber matrix, and a filler component are disclosed. Methods of forming articles such as containers and packages from such compositions are also disclosed.

A composite structural article (100) includes a polymeric body (35) having a first major surface (24) and an opposing second major surface (22) and a rib element (30) extending away from the first major surface. A reinforcing member (10) is embedded within a free end portion (34) of the rib member (30). The reinforcing member includes an elongated polymer rod having a rod length and a plurality of co-extending continuous fibers (20), embedded and distributed within the elongated polymer rod. The fibers are under tension and may have a helical or twisted configuration along the rod length.

A liftgate assembly having finished show surfaces, and process of manufacturing same. The liftgate assembly includes local reinforcements that are overmolded to first reinforcements, and the first reinforcements are infrared welding to a first panel. Second and third reinforcements are also infrared welded to the first panel. To infrared weld the respective reinforcements to the first panel in predetermined locations with respect to the first panel, nesting structures are provided to hold the respective reinforcements and first panel. At least one infrared heating fixture heats various predetermined surfaces on the reinforcements and first panel, and the parts are then pressed together for joining the predetermined surfaces of the respective parts together. The process is repeated, if needed, until all of the reinforcements are infrared welded to the first panel. Outer panels are bonded to the second and third reinforcements.