A dispensing and ultraviolet (UV) curing system is disclosed with low backscatter. The system includes a dispenser for dispensing an ultraviolet (UV) curable material onto a substrate and a UV radiation source assembly coupled to the dispenser and operable to facilitate curing the UV curable material that has been dispensed onto the substrate. The UV radiation source assembly has a UV radiation source with a first optical axis and an optical element with a second optical axis. The second optical axis is different than the first optical axis. The optical element is configured such that, during operation, UV radiation from the UV radiation source passes through the optical element.

A composite friction unit of a three dimensional composite body is formed in a system for continuous process manufacturing of composite friction units. The system uses a plurality of rolls of reinforcing fiber fabrics, a resin dispensing system that receives a panel of reinforcing fiber fabric from each one of the rolls and separately dispenses resin through a plurality of dispensing tubes, each associated with a different panel, onto a surface of each panel. A forming die is positioned to receive the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabric after resin is dispensed onto the panels and is configured to form a composite panel from the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabrics. A cutting mechanism cuts a desired shape part from the composite panel.

A method for printing a surface (1) with a printed pattern (2) includes printing a first partial structure (3) of the printed pattern (2), printing a second partial structure (3) of the printed pattern (2) at a distance from the first printed structure (3) and treating at least one region (7) between the first printed structure (3) and the second printed structure (3), and the irradiating the region (7) between the first printed structure (3) and the second printed structure (3) with electromagnetic waves and/or soundwaves.

A thermoplastic prepreg includes a mat, web, or fabric of fibers and hollow glass microspheres that are positioned atop the mat, web, or fabric of fibers or dispersed therein. The thermoplastic prepreg also includes a thermoplastic polymer that is fully impregnated through the mat, web, or fabric of fibers and the hollow glass microspheres so that the thermoplastic prepreg has a void content of less than 3% by volume of the thermoplastic prepreg. The thermoplastic material is polymerized monomers and oligomers in which greater than 90% by weight of the monomers or oligomers react to form the thermoplastic material.

A thermoplastic prepreg includes a mat, web, or fabric of fibers and hollow glass microspheres that are positioned atop the mat, web, or fabric of fibers or dispersed therein. The thermoplastic prepreg also includes a thermoplastic polymer that is fully impregnated through the mat, web, or fabric of fibers and the hollow glass microspheres so that the thermoplastic prepreg has a void content of less than 3% by volume of the thermoplastic prepreg. The thermoplastic material is polymerized monomers and oligomers in which greater than 90% by weight of the monomers or oligomers react to form the thermoplastic material.

A thermoplastic prepreg includes a mat, web, or fabric of fibers and hollow glass microspheres that are positioned atop the mat, web, or fabric of fibers or dispersed therein. The thermoplastic prepreg also includes a thermoplastic polymer that is fully impregnated through the mat, web, or fabric of fibers and the hollow glass microspheres so that the thermoplastic prepreg has a void content of less than 3% by volume of the thermoplastic prepreg. The thermoplastic material is polymerized monomers and oligomers in which greater than 90% by weight of the monomers or oligomers react to form the thermoplastic material.

A thermoplastic prepreg includes a mat, web, or fabric of fibers and hollow glass microspheres that are positioned atop the mat, web, or fabric of fibers or dispersed therein. The thermoplastic prepreg also includes a thermoplastic polymer that is fully impregnated through the mat, web, or fabric of fibers and the hollow glass microspheres so that the thermoplastic prepreg has a void content of less than 3% by volume of the thermoplastic prepreg. The thermoplastic material is polymerized monomers and oligomers in which greater than 90% by weight of the monomers or oligomers react to form the thermoplastic material.

A coating system and related method for coating a part. The coating system having a process tank filled with a fluid coating material to a fluid coating level and an inert gas blanket formed above the fluid coating level. The coating system also having a process tank conveyor to support a part to be coated. The process tank conveyor having a submerge section which transfers the part through the inert gas blanket and below the fluid coating level, a coating residence section which maintains the part submerged below the fluid coating level for a coating period, a coating removal section which raises the part above the fluid coating level but below the inert gas blanket level, and an inert gas blanket residence section which maintains the part within the inert gas blanket level but above the fluid coating level for a drying period.

A coating system and related method for coating a part. The coating system having a process tank filled with a fluid coating material to a fluid coating level and an inert gas blanket formed above the fluid coating level. The coating system also having a process tank conveyor to support a part to be coated. The process tank conveyor having a submerge section which transfers the part through the inert gas blanket and below the fluid coating level, a coating residence section which maintains the part submerged below the fluid coating level for a coating period, a coating removal section which raises the part above the fluid coating level but below the inert gas blanket level, and an inert gas blanket residence section which maintains the part within the inert gas blanket level but above the fluid coating level for a drying period.

A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic prepreg includes a double belt mechanism that is configured to compress a fiber mat, web, or mesh that is passed through the double belt mechanism, a resin applicator that is configured to apply monomers or oligomers to the fiber mat, web, or mesh, and a curing oven that is configured to effect polymerization of the monomers or oligomers and thereby form the thermoplastic polymer as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is moved through the curing oven. The double belt mechanism compresses the fiber mat, web, or mesh and the applied monomers or oligomers as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is passed through the curing oven so that the monomers or oligomers fully saturate the fiber mat, web, or mesh. Upon polymerization of the monomers or oligomers, the fiber mat, web, or mesh is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer.