A device and method for preparing a locally heterogeneous smart composite material based on time-frequency regulated SAWs are provided. The method includes: mixing functional particles, a photosensitive liquid and a photoinitiator evenly; inputting periodic time-frequency regulated sinusoidal signals defined by a frequency, a duration, an interval time and a time difference to a pair of slanted-finger interdigital transducers, such that the pair of slanted-finger interdigital transducers are excited to produce corresponding standing SAWs; coupling and allowing the standing SAWs to enter a liquid tank to form a local sound field in the photosensitive liquid; forming, by the functional particles in the photosensitive liquid, a stable array distribution under the action of an acoustic radiation force of the local sound field; and turning on an UV light source for curing, thereby completing the preparation.

A method and an apparatus for molding composite articles are disclosed. The method generally involves the saturation of reinforcing fibers (e.g. glass fibers, carbon fibers, etc.) with a matrix (e.g. resin, epoxy, cyanate ester, vinyl ester, polyester, etc.) in/on a mold using a conventional resin transfer molding (RTM) process (e.g. RTM-light) or a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process (e.g. advanced VARTM or A-VARTM), and, once saturation is completed, the vibration of the matrix-infused fibers using controlled ultrasonic sound waves transmitted through the mold. By vibrating the matrix-infused fibers with the ultrasonic sound waves, the method and apparatus allow voids present between fibers to be closed and localized pockets of gases to be dislodged and degassed, and also allow the fibers to compact, thereby producing composite articles with reduced porosity and higher compaction.

Methods for making and curing resin-based adhesives are disclosed using encapsulated amine accelerators activated by providing ultrasonic energy.

A method of bonding materials may comprise defining a bond interface between two materials in a cure zone on a surface of an object and heating the bond interface with sound waves. Heating the bond interface may include applying ultrasonic sound waves to the bond interface.

A method and an apparatus for molding composite articles are disclosed. The method generally involves the saturation of reinforcing fibers (e.g. glass fibers, carbon fibers, etc.) with a matrix (e.g. resin, epoxy, cyanate ester, vinyl ester, polyester, etc.) in/on a mold using a conventional resin transfer molding (RTM) process (e.g. RTM-light) or a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process (e.g. advanced VARTM or A-VARTM), and, once saturation is completed, the vibration of the matrix-infused fibers using controlled ultrasonic sound waves transmitted through the mold. By vibrating the matrix-infused fibers with the ultrasonic sound waves, the method and apparatus allow voids present between fibers to be closed and localized pockets of gases to be dislodged and degassed, and also allow the fibers to compact, thereby producing composite articles with reduced porosity and higher compaction.

A custom weld-repair tool, for use in repairing a discrepant weld between workpieces, including an extended portion and a cavity adjacent the extended portions. The discrepant weld includes an insufficient primary portion and the tool is configured to, when the extended portion is in contact with a proximate one of the workpieces, channel welding energy, received at or generated at the tool, to the proximate workpiece via the extended portion, to form or enlarge a weld at a periphery of the primary portion or directly adjacent the primary portion.

The invention relates to a dosage form that is thermoformed without discoloration and is safeguarded from abuse, comprising at least one synthetic or natural polymer having a breaking strength of at least 500 N in addition to one or more active substances that could be subject to abuse. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for producing said dosage form.

A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a nozzle having a base end, a tip end, and a cylindrical passage extending from the base end to the tip end. The print head may also include a compactor located at least partially inside of the nozzle at the tip end.

A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a nozzle, and a traveling anchor point mounted at a trailing side of the nozzle. The traveling anchor point may include an arm extending radially outward from the nozzle, and a plunger slidingly disposed in the arm. The traveling anchor point may also include an actuator configured to selectively move the plunger from a stowed position to an engaged position against material discharging from the nozzle.

A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a nozzle configured to discharge a composite material. The print head may also include a source of tint configured to apply the tint to the composite material.