In the method and the apparatus for releasing a molded article from a mold according to the embodiments, the lateral of the molded article in the mold is pressed, so that it is possible to minimize the damage of the mold and the molded article at the time of the release, while the amount of a mold release agent used is minimized.

A disposable mold core for producing a fiber-reinforced component includes a support core having a granulate and a binder. The support core has a hard shell formed of the binder and the granulate, and an inner core which is binder-free and formed of the granulate. A related method of producing a fiber-reinforced component is disclosed.

Methods, devices and systems for efficient 3D printing that address conventional inefficiencies while utilizing a single compact device are set forth. Some embodiments utilize a circular-shaped build area revolving symmetrically around a single center point utilizing a continuous helical printing process. In some embodiments, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are utilized as an energy source for curing the print material. The VCSELs can be integrated with the print head and can form an array which can be staggered or linear. In some embodiments, the VCSELs (and the corresponding print head)can be connected to a rotating platform, which can rotate independently from the revolving build area. In some embodiments, a thermoelectric cooler and/or a fluid cooler can provide cooling to the VCSELS.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to manufacturing a balloon envelope for use in a stratospheric balloon system. For instance, a stream of polyethylene mixture us extruded through an extruder in order to orient molecules of polymer chains of polyethylene and to provide an oriented film. The oriented film is passed through an electron beam and thereby crosslinking the polymer chains to provide a cross-linked film. The cross-linked film is heat sealed to form the balloon envelope.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to manufacturing a balloon envelope for use in a stratospheric balloon system. For instance, a stream of polyethylene mixture us extruded through an extruder in order to orient molecules of polymer chains of polyethylene and to provide an oriented film. The oriented film is passed through an electron beam and thereby crosslinking the polymer chains to provide a cross-linked film. The cross-linked film is heat sealed to form the balloon envelope.

The invention is related to a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a crosslinked hydrophilic coating thereon. A method of the invention involves autoclaving, in a sealed lens package, a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a base coating of polyacrylic acid thereon in an aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble, crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material having epoxide groups, for a period of time sufficient to covalently attach the crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens through covalent linkages each formed between one epoxide group and one of the carboxyl groups on and/or near the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens.

A mold for casting a polymeric aircraft window panel includes a first mold half (12) having a first mold surface (24), and a second mold half (14) having a second mold surface (50). The first mold surface (24) and/or the second mold surface (50) have a shape conforming to a final shape for the major surfaces of the aircraft window panel. The first mold half (12) and/or the second mold half (14) can be formed of rolled, hydroformed, or stamped metal.

An optical head for a laser transmission welding apparatus comprising a housing with an end on the outlet side with respect to a laser beam and a ball mounted in the housing. The ball may comprise a material whose refractive index is higher than the refractive index of quartz glass.

An optical head for a laser transmission welding apparatus comprising a housing with an end on the outlet side with respect to a laser beam and a ball mounted in the housing. The ball may comprise a material whose refractive index is higher than the refractive index of quartz glass.

A vat heating device is provided, including a vat and a heater. The vat has a bottom plate. The vat is used to accommodate a photosensitive resin. The heater is disposed on the bottom plate, adjacent to the photosensitive resin. The heater is used to heat the photosensitive resin. The heater is on an optical path of a light source for curing the photosensitive resin. A photocuring three-dimensional molding system containing the above vat heating device is also provided.