The application is related to adjustable supports for holding objects in one or more desired fixed orientations, including but not necessarily limited to objects that lack uniformity as to size and/or shape and/or weight.

A socket fusion jig includes a pipe saddle and coupling saddle spaced apart. Rotation of a handle causes the pipe saddle and coupling saddle to move laterally relative to one another so that the pipe held in the pipe saddle may be fused to the coupling held in the coupling saddle.

An apparatus for aligning sections of pipe includes a first clamp member and a second clamp member coupled with the first clamp member. The first and second clamp members each include a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw longitudinally spaced from the first clamp jaw. Each one of a first plurality of turnbuckle assemblies is coupled with each one of the first and second clamp jaws of the first clamp member, and each one of a second plurality of turnbuckle assemblies is coupled with each one of the first and second clamp jaws of the second clamp member. An assembly made from a kit of components is also disclosed. The kit includes an apparatus for aligning sections of pipe, and a plurality of shoe inserts. The assembly includes the apparatus and at least two of the shoe inserts coupled with the apparatus.

A device (100) for capturing, centring, gripping and/or securing an object (140) is disclosed. The device comprises a hub (101) and a ring (102) which are concentric and arranged rotatably relative to each other. On the hub there is at least one first control point (111, 111′, 111″), and on the ring there is at least one second control point (112, 112′, 112″), which control points are arranged at different axial levels (151,152). At least one tensioning member (121,122,123) is arranged to interact with the at least one first control point and with the at least one second control point during the rotation, such that the at least one tensioning member is stretched across the air gap (130) in the device. The different axial levels for the at least one first control point and the at least one second control point mean that the at least one tensioning member can freely pass over the at least one first control point during the rotation and can be stretched across the air gap towards the object. Substantially any desired angle of rotation between the hub and the ring can be obtained in this way.

A fixture for supporting a workpiece during a machining operation is disclosed. The fixture may include a seat configured to receive the workpiece. The fixture may further include a quick release lever mounted to the fixture and configured to displace the workpiece from the seat.

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing an artificial blood vessel and a method for manufacturing an artificial blood vessel using the same, wherein a cylindrical support having a hollow 3D porous structure including a thermoplastic polymer is manufactured and vertically fixed, and a hydrogel divided into at least two sections is discharged into the support, thereby maintaining the structure and shape constantly even after printing and manufacturing an artificial blood vessel having a hollow multilayered structure. The 3D printing system for manufacturing an artificial blood vessel comprises: a rotatable support manufacturing unit which forms a hollow cylindrical support having a 3D porous structure by discharging a polymer to the outer circumference thereof through a first head; a first head which forms a hollow cylindrical support having a 3D porous structure by discharging a polymer to the support manufacturing unit; a support vertically holding the hollow cylindrical support manufactured through the first head; and a second head which discharges a hydrogel, divided into at least two sections, into the cylindrical support vertically held and fixed to the support.

A pinning tool is for pinning a tubular structure by pressing a pin through a sidewall of the tubular structure. The pinning tool comprises: a tool body configured for receiving the tubular structure; an actuator mounted on the tool body, the actuator being provided with a piston rod, wherein the actuator is configured for displacing the piston rod in a translational movement; a pin adaptor releasably coupled to the piston rod of the actuator and being configured for receiving and releasably holding the pin to be pressed through and remain in the sidewall of the tubular structure, and a reaction member for fixing a relative position between the tool body and the tubular structure during pinning, wherein the translational movement of the piston rod causes displacement of the pin adaptor, thereby pressing, in operational use, the pin through the sidewall of the tubular structure.

A material handling device for use in manipulating a tubular substrate includes a C-clamp, which in turn comprises a movable jaw that is pivotally coupled to a fixed jaw. A handle is coupled to and extends from an outer surface of the fixed jaw. An actuator is coupled to the fixed jaw. The actuator is operationally coupled to the movable jaw so that the actuator is positioned firstly to pivot the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw to position the C-clamp in an open configuration, and, secondly, to pivot the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw to position the C-clamp in a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the C-clamp is configured to insert a tubular substrate. In the closed configuration, the C-clamp couples to the tubular substrate, positioning a user to grasp the handle to manipulate the tubular substrate.

A clamping device includes first and second clamping components and at least one elastic component. The first and second clamping components include first and second rear portions and first and second front portions pivoted to each other respectively. The first and second rear portions are pivoted to each other. The elastic component connects the first and second clamping components. The first and second clamping components rotate, with respect to each other, to a first state due to an elastic force of the elastic component so that the first and second front portions have a first distance. When the first and second clamping components are subject to a force, the first and second clamping components resist the elastic force of the elastic component and rotate, with respect to each other, to a second state so that the first and second front portions have a second distance greater than the first distance.

A modification system for the modification of elongated pieces of stock may include a powered tool for modifying, or altering the piece of elongated stock, and a support device for supporting a position of the elongated stock relative to the powered tool. An arrangement of the components of the powered tool may provide for ergonomic balance of the powered tool. The support device may include a clamping device that clamps, or holds the elongated stock, and an adjustment device that adjusts a position of the clamping device based on a size of the elongated stock. The support device may include a latching device that maintains the position of the clamping device relative to the stock. A reaction arm may inhibit rotation of the tool relative to the stock during operation. A biasing device may provide for application of an axial biasing force on the stock, to initiate operation.