A method includes calculating a gradient vector of a property of a framework with respect to first components of a first vector and second components of a second vector. The first components correspond to first structures available for a first location of the framework and the second components correspond to second structures available for a second location of the framework. The method includes identifying, based on the gradient vector, first values for the first components and second values for the second components that yield a third value of the property that satisfies a criterion, selecting a first selected composite sandwich structure of the first composite sandwich structures and a second selected composite sandwich structure of the second composite sandwich structures, and providing output indicating (a) the first values and the second values or (b) the first selected composite sandwich structure and the second selected composite sandwich structure.

A nanofabrication method comprises receiving information regarding in-plane distortion of a substrate, modeling target out-of-plane displacement as a summation of a plurality of geometric modes represented by a linear combination of basis functions, generating a first drop pattern of formable material based on the modeled out-of-plane displacement, generating a second drop pattern by merging the first drop pattern with a drop pattern based on a topography of the template and the substrate; dispensing drops of formable material onto the substrate according to the second drop pattern, and contacting the dispensed drops with the template to form a film. The plurality of geometric modes are modified using a plurality of unique predetermined correction coefficients. Each unique predetermined correction coefficient represents a relationship between an analytically determined amount of in-plane distortion and an empirically determined amount of in-plane distortion.

A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for processing a composite ply. An image of the composite ply is received. Natural features in the image of the composite ply are detected. Feature data for the natural features detected in association is saved with a ply identifier for the composite ply in a repository. The feature data is used to position the composite ply during manufacturing of a composite part using the composite ply.

A semiconductor imprint device includes a stage that supports a substrate, a film clamp that applies a film stamp including a pattern onto the substrate, a roller that applies pressure to the film stamp disposed on the substrate so that the pattern is transferred to the substrate, a camera that captures an image of the roller and the film stamp, and a controller that adjusts a position of the film clamp by using the image. The pattern is for forming a semiconductor device.

A moulding installation and method for moulding food products from a pumpable foodstuff mass are described. A revolving mould drum is provided with multiple mould cavities and a mass feed member is arranged at a fill position to transfer foodstuff mass into passing mould cavities. The foodstuff mass forms a food product in the mould cavity. A pressurized air food product ejection system includes air ducts in the mould drum that extend to the cavities and at least a portion of the surface delimiting a mould cavity is air permeable. The ejection system further includes a pressurized air source to feed pressurized air at a regulated ejection air pressure thereof to the air ducts. A controller is adapted to input at least one target parameter related to filling of the mould cavities with the foodstuff mass via the mouth of the mass feed member. The controller is adapted to automatically set an ejection air pressure by the pressurized air source on the basis of the inputted target parameter.

A procedure for repairing a polymer matrix composite component is provided. The procedure includes the steps of: providing a polymer matrix composite component having a site prepared for repair by removal of damaged or defective material; locating an uncured, polymer matrix composite repair patch at the site to re-build the component thereat; and curing the polymer matrix of the repair patch by heating the patch using eddy currents induced by one or more alternating current coils. The repair patch is without metallic additives, such that the repaired polymer matrix composite after the curing step is also without metallic additives in the vicinity of the repair patch.

An ultraviolet (UV) curing system is configured to cure a composite structure. The UV curing system includes a plurality of UV light assemblies that are configured to adaptively conform to a shape of the composite structure. A UV curing method is configured to cure a composite structure. The UV curing method includes positioning a UV curing system on the composite structure, and adaptively conforming a plurality of UV light assemblies of the UV curing system to a shape of the composite structure.

According to one embodiment, a method, computer system, and computer program product for smoothing one or more surfaces of a 3D-printed object in reduced gravity is provided. The present invention may include positioning one or more radiative heating elements to evenly heat one or more surfaces of a 3D-printed object based on a shape of the 3D-printed object; determining, for at least one of the one or more radiative heating elements, a desired heat output necessary to melt the outermost layers of the one or more surfaces; and pulsing the one or more radiative heating elements to melt the one or more surfaces, wherein the duration and frequency of the pulsing is configured to achieve the desired heat output.

Rheological measurement systems for use with systems including pressurized polymer melts and/or other viscous materials are described. In one embodiment, a rheometer is connected to an associated system with a bent, curved, or bendable tube to permit the rheometer to measure rheological properties in locations where the rheometer could not otherwise be located due to the presence of obstructions. Embodiments including rigid straight tubes for connecting a rheometer to an associated system are also described. In another embodiment, a flow-through rheometer is connected to an industry standard ?-20 thermowell aperture that is typically used for attaching temperature and pressure probes to a vessel containing a viscous material such as an extruder or injection molding system. The rheological measurement systems described can have improved tube resistance and thermal strength.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a product from a starting material. At least one material batch is collected onto a conveyor or into a conveyor from material portions, the mate-rial batch is heated to a desired temperature and/or a desired temperature is maintained in the material batch on the conveyor or in the conveyor, the conveyor is moved to transfer the material batch to a product manufacturing device in which the product is manufactured from the material batch by a shape-giving tool, and the mate-rial batch is measured or weighed, and the material portions are adjusted based on the measurement results. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the method.