The present disclosure generally relates to powder packing for additive manufacturing (AM) methods and systems. Conventional powder packing methods are manual and non-standardized, and they result in operator fatigue and potentially product inconsistencies. Powder packing according to the present disclosure improves standardization and reduces turnaround time, with the potential to lower the cost of AM.

The molding die of the invention includes: a first die having a through-hole; a second die inserted into the through-hole and capable of moving relative to the first die; and a first punch and a second punch each insertable into the through-hole. A cavity surrounded by the second die, the first punch, and the second punch to compression-mold a molding object is formed in the through-hole. An undercut molding part is formed in the surface of the second die facing the cavity. The second die is formed so as to be splittable into two or more split bodies.

The molding die of the invention includes: a first die having a through-hole; a second die inserted into the through-hole and capable of moving relative to the first die; and a first punch and a second punch each insertable into the through-hole. A cavity surrounded by the second die, the first punch, and the second punch to compression-mold a molding object is formed in the through-hole. An undercut molding part is formed in the surface of the second die facing the cavity. The second die is formed so as to be splittable into two or more split bodies.

A molding die according to the present disclosure includes a tubular portion and a base portion that closes an end portion of the tubular portion at one side. A cut level difference Rδc.sub.1 in a roughness curve of an inner wall surface of the tubular portion is smaller than a cut level difference Rδc.sub.2 in a roughness curve of an inner wall bottom portion of the base portion. The cut level difference represents a difference between a cut level at a load length ratio of 25% in a roughness curve and a cut level at a load length ratio of 75% in the roughness curve.

A molding die according to the present disclosure includes a tubular portion and a base portion that closes an end portion of the tubular portion at one side. A cut level difference Rδc.sub.1 in a roughness curve of an inner wall surface of the tubular portion is smaller than a cut level difference Rδc.sub.2 in a roughness curve of an inner wall bottom portion of the base portion. The cut level difference represents a difference between a cut level at a load length ratio of 25% in a roughness curve and a cut level at a load length ratio of 75% in the roughness curve.

A method for producing an inductor includes a first step of preparing a heat press machine and a second step. The heat press machine includes a first mold; a second mold separated from the first mold by an interval therebetween, and smaller than the first mold; an internal frame member surrounding a periphery of the second mold, separated from the first mold by an interval therebetween in a press direction, and movable with respect to the second mold in the press direction; and a fluid and flexible sheet disposed on a second press surface of the second mold. In the second step, a magnetic sheet containing magnetic particles and a thermosetting resin and a plurality of wires separated from each other by an interval therebetween are heat pressed by the heat press machine.

The current invention concerns an apparatus (100) for shaping the introductory end (172) of a tampon (162), comprising: a carrying pipe (106) for holding the tampon (162); a support wheel (104) that carries a plurality of carrying pipes (106), the support wheel (104) comprising conveying means to transport each carrying pipe (106); and a head-shaping station (108) for shaping the introductory end (172) of the tampon (162);

According to the invention, the head-shaping station (108) comprises an ultrasonic device (110). The invention also concerns a method for shaping the introductory end (172) of a tampon (162) using such apparatus (100).

Compaction systems and methods of compacting components are provided. In one aspect, a laminate of a component can be laid up on a tool of a compaction system. The laminate defines a cavity. A noodle is positioned relative to or in the cavity. A noodle ring is then positioned relative to the noodle. For instance, the noodle ring can be placed over the noodle. A cross section of the noodle ring can be shaped complementary to a cross section of the noodle. A plunger of the compaction system is moved so that it engages the noodle ring. Particularly, the plunger is moved in such a way that a force is applied on the noodle ring so that the noodle ring compacts the noodle into the cavity.

A motor-driven powder molding machine according to the present disclosure molds powder using an upper mold and a lower mold and includes, in each of the upper and lower molds, a main ram for operating the upper or lower mold through a main shaft; an auxiliary ram for operating the upper or lower mold through an auxiliary shaft in synchronization with the main ram; and a pressure detector for detecting a pressure in an axial direction in at least one of the main ram and the auxiliary ram. The motor-driven powder molding machine further includes a controller for controlling operation speeds of the upper and lower molds by at least one of the main ram and the auxiliary ram so that the pressure falls within a predetermined range based on the detected pressure.

A tooling assembly, including an elongated ceramic member having a distal end and an oppositely disposed proximal end, a plurality of spaced protuberances extending from the elongated proximal end, at least one groove formed in the proximal end, and an elongated polymer member enveloping the distal end. The overlap of the elongated polymer member and the elongated ceramic member defines a joint. The joint has a tensile strength of at least 11121 Newtons.