A biodegradable container including a unitary polymeric body element having a top portion and a cylindrical body portion. The top portion has a cylindrical neck wherein the cylindrical neck defines an inner surface and an outer surface. The container further includes a polymeric bottom element welded to the cylindrical body portion of the unitary polymeric body element. A polymeric cap defines an internal rim configured to be received by the inner surface of the cylindrical neck. The polymeric cap includes an external cover having an interior surface which may be tapered so that the outer surface of the cylindrical neck and the interior surface of the external cover form an inner seal. The interior surface of the external cover may also form an outer seal with the outer surface of the cylindrical neck when the polymeric cap is in a closed position.

A method of anchoring a lightweight building element having a first building layer and an interlining layer distally of the first building layer, and possibly a second building layer distally of the interlining layer. For anchoring, the the distal end of a connector element is inserted into a mounting hole in the lightweight building element, and also a sleeve including a thermoplastic material is inserted into the mounting hole, the sleeve enclosing the connector element. Then, a distally facing liquefaction face of the sleeve is caused to be in contact with a proximally facing support face of the connector element. Energy impinges to liquefy at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve, and the liquefaction face is pressed against the support face to cause at least a fraction of the flow portion to flow radially outward. After the flow portion has re-solidified, it anchors the connector element in the receiving object.

Apparatus configured to enable the staking of an interfacing part to a base is provided. The apparatus includes a retainer configured to convey a stake and the interfacing part to the base. The apparatus is further configured to provide a heat and/or vibration to effect the simultaneous attachment of the stake to the base and the interfacing part to the base.

Apparatus configured to enable the staking of an interfacing part to a base is provided. The apparatus includes a retainer configured to convey a stake and the interfacing part to the base. The apparatus is further configured to provide a heat and/or vibration to effect the simultaneous attachment of the stake to the base and the interfacing part to the base.

A system for manufacturing a family of intake manifolds includes first and second intake molds. One of the first and second intake molds includes an outlet insert. A first intake manifold includes: a plenum chamber, a plenum chamber air inlet; a first number of intake runner passages; and the first number of outlets. Each of the outlets is fluidly connected to a corresponding one of the first number of intake runner passages. The second intake manifold includes: the plenum chamber; the plenum chamber air inlet; the first number of intake runner passages; and a second number of outlets. Each of the second number of outlets is fluidly connected to a corresponding one of the first number of intake runner passages. At least one of the first number of intake runner passages is not fluidly connected to any one of the second number of outlets of the second intake manifold.

A system for manufacturing a family of intake manifolds includes first and second intake molds. One of the first and second intake molds includes an outlet insert. A first intake manifold includes: a plenum chamber, a plenum chamber air inlet; a first number of intake runner passages; and the first number of outlets. Each of the outlets is fluidly connected to a corresponding one of the first number of intake runner passages. The second intake manifold includes: the plenum chamber; the plenum chamber air inlet; the first number of intake runner passages; and a second number of outlets. Each of the second number of outlets is fluidly connected to a corresponding one of the first number of intake runner passages. At least one of the first number of intake runner passages is not fluidly connected to any one of the second number of outlets of the second intake manifold.

A system and method are provided for implementing relatively low temperature joining processes, including displacement/vibration welding techniques and/or heat staking techniques, in a process of building up laminate layers to form and/or manufacture three-dimensional objects, parts and components in additive material (AM) manufacturing systems. A multi-stage 3D object forming scheme is described involving steps of laminate cutting (with lasers or other cutting devices); laminate transport between processing stations (including using one or more of conveyors, robotic pick and place devices and the like); laminate stacking, clamping and adhering through comparatively low temperature welding or other mechanical joining (including displacement/vibration welding or heat staking); and mechanical surface finishing (via CNC machining or other comparable process).

A fusion bonding process for polymeric components and welding heads for use in the process are described. Methods and devices can be utilized to weld polymer-based structural components to one another by use of an enhanced friction stir welding technology that combines heating, pressure, and polymer agitation to form a highly secure joint between polymeric structural components and a short fiber reinforced thermoplastic connection element.

Disclosed is a friction welding method including: a heating step wherein, in relation to joining surfaces (S1, S2) defined by opposite end surfaces of a pair of materials (W1, W2), the pair of materials (W1, W2) are moved from a state in which their axes are unaligned with each other, in a direction for aligning the respective axes with each other, to a prescribed position where the joining surfaces (S1, S2) are brought into contact with each other and friction heated; and a pressure contacting step wherein the pair of materials are brought into pressure contact with each other. The method is characterized in that the heating step and the pressure contacting step are carried out while rotating each of the materials (W1, W2) at the same rotation speed in the same direction, as seen from one side in the axial direction.

Disclosed is a friction welding method including: a heating step wherein, in relation to joining surfaces (S1, S2) defined by opposite end surfaces of a pair of materials (W1, W2), the pair of materials (W1, W2) are moved from a state in which their axes are unaligned with each other, in a direction for aligning the respective axes with each other, to a prescribed position where the joining surfaces (S1, S2) are brought into contact with each other and friction heated; and a pressure contacting step wherein the pair of materials are brought into pressure contact with each other. The method is characterized in that the heating step and the pressure contacting step are carried out while rotating each of the materials (W1, W2) at the same rotation speed in the same direction, as seen from one side in the axial direction.