A blown film coextrusion line includes a support frame, a plurality of extruders each mounted to the support frame and extending upward at an angle, and a downward facing blown film coextrusion die connected to distal ends of each of the plurality of extruders and receiving individual polymer streams from them. The blown film coextrusion line is compact and sturdy and eliminates much of the floor space and towered mounting structure that was required for conventional blown film coextrusion lines. A corresponding method of making a multilayer coextruded blown film is also provided.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an elastic and flexible fiber with a pre-de-termined non-circular cross-sectional geometry, the method comprising extrusion of an elasto-mer from a nozzle onto a substrate, wherein the pre-determined non-circular cross-sectional geometry of the fiber is determined by the height and velocity of the nozzle relative to the sub-strate. The invention relates to an elastic and flexible fiber produced using the method, wherein the fiber comprises an elongated indentation along a length of the fiber (groove). The invention relates to methods for producing preferably biocompatible microfluidic, electrically conducting or light-guiding fibers using the methods of the invention. The invention further re-lates to elastic and flexible fibers produced by the method.

An extruder or other similar tool head of a three-dimensional printer is slidably mounted along a feedpath of build material so that the extruder can move into and out of contact with a build surface according to whether build material is being extruded. The extruder may be spring-biased against the forward feedpath so that the extruder remains above the build surface in the absence of applied forces, and then moves downward into a position for extrusion when build material is fed into the extruder. In another aspect, modular tool heads are disclosed that can be automatically coupled to and removed from the three-dimensional printer by a suitable robotics system. A tool crib may be provided to store multiple tool heads while not in use.

A lamination forming system includes a melt extruder, a nozzle head and a carrier unit. The melt extruder is configured to melt a plastic raw material into a plastic melt and to deliver the same. The nozzle head includes a sprue channel that has an inlet connected to the melt extruder for entry of the melt plastic into the sprue channel, and an outlet disposed distally from the inlet to deliver the plastic melt from the sprue channel. The carrier unit includes a slide table controllable to move relative to the nozzle head. The slide table is configure to carry the plastic melt outputted from the nozzle head.

Implementations described herein are directed to forming objects including one or more layers of a polymeric material that include a magnetic material. The objects can be produced by forming one or more first layers that include a first polymeric material. The one or more first layers can be free of a magnetic material. Additionally, the object can be produced by forming one or more second layers that include a second polymeric material having a magnetic material. For example, the one or more second layers can include a polymeric material embedded with magnetic particles. The one or more first layers and the one or more second layers can be formed by extruding the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material onto a substrate according to a pattern. A magnetizing device can be used to magnetize the magnetic material included in the one or more second layers.

Provided are systems for dispensing a filament adhesive. The dispensing systems include a dispensing head with a barrel including one or more heating elements, and a rotatable screw received in the barrel, the rotatable screw including at least one mixing element. An inlet extends through a side of the barrel for receiving the filament adhesive. An outlet at a distal end of the barrel for dispensing the filament adhesive in molten form. The dispensing system further includes a filament adhesive having a configuration to be received into the inlet of the dispensing head. Using the provided dispensing systems, and optionally with the assistance of a computer, adhesives can be precisely applied to pre-determined locations on a substrate.

Assay cartridges are described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain embodiments, these cartridges are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick. Also described are kits including such cartridges and a cartridge reader configured to analyze an assay conducted using an assay cartridge.

A curable sheath fluid and a core fluid are simultaneously introduced from a hydrodynamic nozzle to form a co-flowing extrusion, depositing at least a portion of the co-flowing extrusion on a material bed, and causing relative motion between the hydrodynamic nozzle and the material bed to form an extruded shape. The method comprises curing part or all of the external curable fluid. The method may introduce co-flowing extrusion to pressure to remove the internal core fluid from the external curable fluid, and may receive the core fluid into the fluid drain system. The extruded shapes may form a tube or plurality of tubes in a bundle or porous substrate. The ability to form concentric tubes and complex shapes provides a means forming high strength materials controlled release materials, and self-repair materials.

A torpedo for an extruder comprises: longitudinal member (9) which is provided at the periphery thereof with a plurality of thread portions (12) which protrude outwards and which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction; a plurality of sluice blades (19) which are mounted so as to be movable on the longitudinal member and which are partially engaged in apertures (18) of the longitudinal member, the longitudinal member (9) and the sluice blades (19) being provided with complementary radial guiding surfaces (13, 14, 18) which are in contact with each other; and adjustment means (28) for radially displacing the sluice blades relative to the longitudinal member. The sluice blades extend through the spaces between the thread portions, respectively. The thread portions (12) and the sluice blades (19) are provided with complementary radial guiding surfaces (13, 14, 18).

A method and apparatus for printing onto a curved surface of an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include receiving the article and extruding a composite yarn from a nozzle. A method may include attaching the composite yarn to the curved surface by moving the nozzle in a direction aligned with a first axis and a direction aligned with second axis along the curved surface. The first axis may be approximately normal to the print surface and the second axis may be approximately normal to the first direction. The article may be repositioned during printing to accommodate nozzle movement.