A control method and a control apparatus for a paraffin dispenser in an embedder, a paraffin dispenser and an embedder are provided. The control method includes: collecting information of a current mold so as to acquire an identification of the current mold; determining whether the identification of the current mold is correct; and controlling the paraffin dispenser to pour paraffin into the current mold, when it is determined that the identification of the current mold is correct.

Configurable orthoses having a high degree of independent adjustability of various parameters are provided. In the example of a rehabilitation-evaluation ankle-foot orthosis (REAFO), these parameters may include calf band anteroposterior, height, width, sagittal tilt, coronal tilt, and mediolateral displacement adjustments; mediolateral displacement adjustments of a supramalleolar support; heel width/stirrup separation adjustment; and sagittal active joint resistance and neutral angle adjustments. Calf band mediolateral displacement adjustment may be provided by a lockable four-bar pivoting frame linkage of the REAFO. In one aspect, the configurable orthosis is used in conjunction with a plastically deformable precursor member to facilitate the design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis customized for a particular patient. In another aspect, the orthosis communicatively transmits limb shape data to either a positive shape receiver apparatus or a CAD/CAM apparatus, to facilitate design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis.

Configurable orthoses having a high degree of independent adjustability of various parameters are provided. In the example of a rehabilitation-evaluation ankle-foot orthosis (REAFO), these parameters may include calf band anteroposterior, height, width, sagittal tilt, coronal tilt, and mediolateral displacement adjustments; mediolateral displacement adjustments of a supramalleolar support; heel width/stirrup separation adjustment; and sagittal active joint resistance and neutral angle adjustments. Calf band mediolateral displacement adjustment may be provided by a lockable four-bar pivoting frame linkage of the REAFO. In one aspect, the configurable orthosis is used in conjunction with a plastically deformable precursor member to facilitate the design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis customized for a particular patient. In another aspect, the orthosis communicatively transmits limb shape data to either a positive shape receiver apparatus or a CAD/CAM apparatus, to facilitate design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis.

An apparatus including a first conveyor device including a first conveyor belt; a second conveyor device including a second conveyor belt; a movement device; and a mold device including a mold; wherein the first conveyor device is connected to the second conveyor device so that when the movement device moves the first conveyor device, the second conveyor device also moves with respect to the mold device; wherein the first conveyor belt moves independent of the second conveyor belt; and wherein the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt move independent from the movement device. The apparatus may further include a first and second dispensing devices configured to dispense first and second materials, first and second gate devices to control height, and a computer processor to control the various components and the resulting ratio of first material to second material in a processed slab.

An apparatus including a first conveyor device including a first conveyor belt; a second conveyor device including a second conveyor belt; a movement device; and a mold device including a mold; wherein the first conveyor device is connected to the second conveyor device so that when the movement device moves the first conveyor device, the second conveyor device also moves with respect to the mold device; wherein the first conveyor belt moves independent of the second conveyor belt; and wherein the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt move independent from the movement device. The apparatus may further include a first and second dispensing devices configured to dispense first and second materials, first and second gate devices to control height, and a computer processor to control the various components and the resulting ratio of first material to second material in a processed slab.

A composite material molding method is provided for forming a composite material. The molding includes disposing carbon fiber in a cavity inside an openable and closable mold, injecting resin into the cavity in a state in which a clamping pressure is exerted on the mold and curing the resin. When a threshold value of the pressure inside the cavity is set to a pressure that is lower than the clamping pressure and the resin is injected into the cavity while exerting an injection pressure that is equal to or greater than the clamping pressure on the resin until the pressure inside the cavity reaches the threshold value. Then, after the pressure inside the cavity has reached the threshold value, the inside of the cavity is suctioned.

A composite material molding method is provided for forming a composite material. The molding includes disposing carbon fiber in a cavity inside an openable and closable mold, injecting resin into the cavity in a state in which a clamping pressure is exerted on the mold and curing the resin. When a threshold value of the pressure inside the cavity is set to a pressure that is lower than the clamping pressure and the resin is injected into the cavity while exerting an injection pressure that is equal to or greater than the clamping pressure on the resin until the pressure inside the cavity reaches the threshold value. Then, after the pressure inside the cavity has reached the threshold value, the inside of the cavity is suctioned.

An apparatus and a method are provided for a latex-based packaging material configured to provide a dust-free alternative to vermiculite packaging materials. The latex-based packaging material comprises a portion of a latex-based waste formulated into a recycled latex emulsion, and a portion of particulate material into which the recycled latex emulsion is mixed so as to form a latex-based pulp. In some embodiments, additional components, such as any of various plasticizers, coloring agents, or hardeners, may be included in the latex-base pulp. The latex-based pulp is dispensed and dried so as to form the latex-based packaging material in a variety of desired shapes. Drying may be accomplished by way of unaided atmospheric evaporation, or by way of various conventional drying methods. In some embodiments, the desired shape of the packaging material comprises latex-based packaging peanuts suitable for separating and cushioning forces between containers during transportation in a larger container.

An apparatus and a method are provided for a latex-based packaging material configured to provide a dust-free alternative to vermiculite packaging materials. The latex-based packaging material comprises a portion of a latex-based waste formulated into a recycled latex emulsion, and a portion of particulate material into which the recycled latex emulsion is mixed so as to form a latex-based pulp. In some embodiments, additional components, such as any of various plasticizers, coloring agents, or hardeners, may be included in the latex-base pulp. The latex-based pulp is dispensed and dried so as to form the latex-based packaging material in a variety of desired shapes. Drying may be accomplished by way of unaided atmospheric evaporation, or by way of various conventional drying methods. In some embodiments, the desired shape of the packaging material comprises latex-based packaging peanuts suitable for separating and cushioning forces between containers during transportation in a larger container.

A method of manufacturing a porous part includes controlled freeze casting of a slurry. After freezing, a solvent in the slurry is removed by sublimation and the remaining material is sintered to form the porous part. Spatial and temporal control of thermal conditions at the boundary and inside of the mold can be controlled to create parts with controlled porosity, including size, distribution, and directionality of the pores. Porous parts with near-net-shape from ceramics, metals, polymers and other materials and their combinations can be created.