A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object is disclosed. The method includes operating a first ejector of a three-dimensional object printer to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object. The method further includes operating a second ejector of the three-dimensional object printer to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, the support being configured to provide support for portions of the object during the operation of the first ejector to form the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body. The method further includes connecting a fluid source to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion the support from the object.

A method of hose construction comprises: providing a sacrificial layer on the surface of a hose former; constructing a hose on the sacrificial layer; forcing pressurized fluid between the sacrificial layer and the hose former to separate the hose former from the sacrificial layer; and separating the sacrificial layer from the hose.

A method of hose construction comprises: providing a sacrificial layer on the surface of a hose former; constructing a hose on the sacrificial layer; forcing pressurized fluid between the sacrificial layer and the hose former to separate the hose former from the sacrificial layer; and separating the sacrificial layer from the hose.

The invention relates to a machine for producing parts made of composite materials and method for producing parts using said machine, comprising at least one drum (1) having a perforated wall, provided with a rotary drive, in relation to which there are arranged at least one applicator head (5) for applying strips of fiber, at least one cutting head (7) and at least one assembly (11) for forming tubular parts, while inside the drum (1) there is arranged a blowing system which allows air to be projected through the perforated wall of said drum (1), allowing the production of parts with an open configuration and parts with a tubular configuration using said assembly, by means of laminated surfaces (9) that are formed on the drum (1).

The invention relates to a machine for producing parts made of composite materials and method for producing parts using said machine, comprising at least one drum (1) having a perforated wall, provided with a rotary drive, in relation to which there are arranged at least one applicator head (5) for applying strips of fiber, at least one cutting head (7) and at least one assembly (11) for forming tubular parts, while inside the drum (1) there is arranged a blowing system which allows air to be projected through the perforated wall of said drum (1), allowing the production of parts with an open configuration and parts with a tubular configuration using said assembly, by means of laminated surfaces (9) that are formed on the drum (1).

A mandrel configured to facilitate release of an elastomeric part cured thereon may comprise an elongated body having an outer surface, an internal cavity formed in the elongated body, and a passage providing fluid communication between the internal cavity and the outer surface of the body. The passage may be dimensioned so as to permit a flow of a fluid from the internal cavity to the outer surface of the body and to preclude a flow of an uncured elastomer into the passage. The flow of the fluid from the internal cavity to the outer surface may cause the fluid to intervene between the outer surface of the mandrel and the elastomeric part to facilitate the release of the elastomeric part from the mandrel.

A mandrel configured to facilitate release of an elastomeric part cured thereon may comprise an elongated body having an outer surface, an internal cavity formed in the elongated body, and a passage providing fluid communication between the internal cavity and the outer surface of the body. The passage may be dimensioned so as to permit a flow of a fluid from the internal cavity to the outer surface of the body and to preclude a flow of an uncured elastomer into the passage. The flow of the fluid from the internal cavity to the outer surface may cause the fluid to intervene between the outer surface of the mandrel and the elastomeric part to facilitate the release of the elastomeric part from the mandrel.

A method for producing a fiber-reinforced plastic combined body from a prepreg, includes: heating the prepreg in an atmosphere above a room temperature and lower than a curing temperature of the prepreg; provisionally combining pre-products obtained by the heating together or with another component; and retaining and curing the combined pre-products at the curing temperature or higher.

An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.

An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.