The invention provides a building block for a mechanical construction. The invention further provides a bearing, an actuator system, a housing, a hub, a mechanical connector and a gear box. The building block includes a first printed material being printed via an additive manufacturing process. The first printed material provides a framework of a second material different from the first printed material and at least partially embedded in the first printed material. The framework of the second material may be included in a hollow structure. Alternatively, at least a part of the framework of the second material may constitute at least a part of the inner wall of the hollow structure. The framework of the second material may be pre-fabricated or may also be generated via the additive manufacturing process. A benefit of this building block is that it allows an increase of strength while limiting the overall weight.

A component part has an over-molded integrally formed insert member. The insert member has a predetermined feature. In addition, an end portion of the predetermined feature is exposed and free from over-molding.

The invention provides a building block for a mechanical construction. The invention further provides a bearing and a method of producing the building block. The building block provides a first printed material printed via an additive manufacturing process on or at least partially embedded in a second material. The first printed material is printed in a pattern configured and constructed for cooperating with a sensor for providing position information of the building block relative to the sensor. The sensor may be a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor. The first printed material may include magnetic particles. The method of producing the building block may include a step of adding the first printed material to the second material via the additive manufacturing process under the influence of a predefined magnetic field.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an air bearing with discreet orifices designed to facilitate a non-contact interface between surfaces. The process involves using a mold wherein wires or filaments are placed to form air channels within a cast. Various materials, such as silicone, steel, and composites, can be used for the mold. After casting and curing the material, the wires are removed, leaving precisely defined channels that allow air to flow through, creating a cushion of air that maintains a gap between the bearing and the surface it operates on. This gap can be adjusted by changing the air pressure or the number of channels. The bearing components may be further machined or secured in a housing connected to an air source, enabling the bearing to hover and operate efficiently in various applications. The invention allows for multiple configurations of the air channels to optimize airflow distribution as required.

A hydraulic bearing, comprising: an inner core, a cage, an elastomer body extending between the inner core and the cage, and an outer sleeve which encloses the cage. The elastomer body has: first and second fluid chamber recesses filled with a working fluid, forming first and second fluid chambers that are fluidically connected to each other via a fluid channel such that fluid exchange takes place between the first and second fluid chambers via the fluid channel upon relative displacement of the inner core and the cage. The inner core has: first and second inner core stop projections, extending into the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, respectively. The cage has first and second cage axial stop projections that cooperate with the first and second cage axial stop projections to limit the relative displacement of the inner core and the cage with respect to each.

Methods of making composite articles wherein at least a portion of a hardsurface wear protection applied to a composite article includes matrix composite and hard elements with channels between the hard elements. A layered preform coating mat may be applied over a substrate of the composite article and then fused thereto to form channels between hard elements in the coating mat. The channels may extend over the entire outer surface of the composite article or only over a portion thereof. A hybrid layered preform coating mat may include a depressed section adapted for receiving a perforated braze preform inlay. When the coating mat is fused to the substrate, channels may be formed between the hard elements in the depressed section, but not in a non-depressed section.

A method for producing a composite material molded article includes a process of, from a solution in which reinforcing fibers with an average fiber length of 0.5 mm or more and thermosetting resin are dispersed and mixed in a solvent, removing the solvent by paper-making to form a preform, and a process of press molding the obtained preform using a mold set at a temperature equal to or higher than a curing temperature of the thermosetting resin to form the composite material molded article.