A method for producing microfibers includes the steps of (a) providing a base material; (b) forming the base material in a ring; (c) gripping opposing ends of the ring; (d) flipping one of the opposing ends relative to the other of the opposing ends, forming an upper portion and a lower portion; (e) folding the upper portion onto the lower portion; (f) stretching the folded upper and lower portions; and repeating steps (d)-(f) as desired. Different apparatuses for performing the method are also provided.

A method for producing microfibers includes the steps of (a) providing a base material; (b) forming the base material in a ring; (c) gripping opposing ends of the ring; (d) flipping one of the opposing ends relative to the other of the opposing ends, forming an upper portion and a lower portion; (e) folding the upper portion onto the lower portion; (f) stretching the folded upper and lower portions; and repeating steps (d)-(f) as desired. Different apparatuses for performing the method are also provided.

A wire material for an elastic member includes: inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers that are wound in a spiral form; outer circumferential-side reinforced fibers that are provided on an outer circumference of the inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers; and thermosetting resin that is provided in at least a part of the inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers and the outer circumferential-side reinforced fibers and firmly fixes the reinforced fibers with each other. An angle formed by a winding direction of the inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers and a center axis of the winding is 70 to 110. A winding direction of the outer circumferential-side reinforced fibers with respect to a center axis of the winding is along a direction of a tensile load applied to the wire material for the elastic member in accordance with a load applying torsional stress to the wire material for the elastic member as an externally applied load.

A wire material for an elastic member includes: inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers that are wound in a spiral form; outer circumferential-side reinforced fibers that are provided on an outer circumference of the inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers; and thermosetting resin that is provided in at least a part of the inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers and the outer circumferential-side reinforced fibers and firmly fixes the reinforced fibers with each other. An angle formed by a winding direction of the inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers and a center axis of the winding is 70 to 110. A winding direction of the outer circumferential-side reinforced fibers with respect to a center axis of the winding is along a direction of a tensile load applied to the wire material for the elastic member in accordance with a load applying torsional stress to the wire material for the elastic member as an externally applied load.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bending die that has a simple configuration and is capable of bending a rod-shaped body in a three-dimensional XYZ direction quickly and reliably, the bending die comprising a pair of forming dies clamped in a Z direction, wherein the forming dies have, respectively, rod-shaped body-forming recess portions, and rod-shaped body guide portions for guiding a rod-shaped body to the rod-shaped body-forming recess portions, the rod-shaped body-forming recess portions are each formed into a shape with a semicircular cross section that defines, between the forming dies when clamping the forming dies, a long, cylindrical cavity for forming the rod-shaped body bent in a three-dimensional XYZ direction, and the rod-shaped body guide portions are each formed into a V-shape that spreads outward from both sides of each of the rod-shaped body-forming recess portions having a semicircular cross section.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bending die that has a simple configuration and is capable of bending a rod-shaped body in a three-dimensional XYZ direction quickly and reliably, the bending die comprising a pair of forming dies clamped in a Z direction, wherein the forming dies have, respectively, rod-shaped body-forming recess portions, and rod-shaped body guide portions for guiding a rod-shaped body to the rod-shaped body-forming recess portions, the rod-shaped body-forming recess portions are each formed into a shape with a semicircular cross section that defines, between the forming dies when clamping the forming dies, a long, cylindrical cavity for forming the rod-shaped body bent in a three-dimensional XYZ direction, and the rod-shaped body guide portions are each formed into a V-shape that spreads outward from both sides of each of the rod-shaped body-forming recess portions having a semicircular cross section.

System for curving an elongated medical device including a curving apparatus, and a curve database corresponding to at least one curve shape. The curving apparatus is configured to impart a permanent curve according to the curve shape on a distal portion of an elongated medical device that is greater than that on a proximal portion of the elongated medical device while maintaining sterility of the elongated medical device.

A polymer stall divider for a barn will permit lateral flexing when a cow presses against the stall divider while the stall divider asserts a lateral force against the cow to urge the cow to move into a proper position between adjacent stall dividers without causing injury to the cow. The polymer stall divider can be formed of a polymer material clad onto the outer surface of a steel structural member and then bent into shape to form the desired configuration. The divider can be formed in sections with adjacent sections being connected by an internal connector formed of selected materials to provide the desired flexibility and durability characteristics. A mounting bracket formed of a pair of opposing clam shells can be utilized to secure the stall divider to the frame of the barn, thus providing an easily installed divider structure.

Electrically powered crimp tools are described. Also described are methods of operating the tools and methods of crimping. The tools include a housing, an electric motor, a roller screw assembly, and a jaw assembly. In particular versions of the tools the jaw assembly includes a cam linkage member that is manually displaced by a user to more easily open the jaws after performing a crimp.

Apparatus (1) for transferring at least one component portion (2-4) of an at least partially undercut injection molded plastic component (5), particularly a window frame trim component, from a first state, in which the at least one component portion (2-4) has a geometric deviation from a component-specific reference state, to a second state, in which the at least one component portion (2-4) has no geometric deviation from the component-specific reference state, the apparatus (1) comprising an actuation device (6) comprising at least one first actuation element (7a-7c) configured to exert a transfer force to an at least partially undercut injection molded plastic component (5), particularly a window frame trim component, having at least one component portion (2-4) having a first state, in which the at least one component portion (2-4) has a geometric deviation from a component-specific reference state so as to transfer the at least one component portion (2-4) from the first state to a second state, in which the at least one component portion (2-4) has no geometric deviation from the reference state.