Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using a three-dimensional pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system.

The molding method according to the present invention includes a first step of disposing a composite material and a molded member in an overlapped manner between a die having a first mold part and a punch having a second mold part opposing the first mold part, and a second step of pressing the punch in a direction to approach the die so as to mold the composite material and the molded member into shapes corresponding to the first and second mold parts and join the composite material and the molded member to each other. The composite material has a thickness of 0.01 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

The molding method according to the present invention includes a first step of disposing a composite material and a molded member in an overlapped manner between a die having a first mold part and a punch having a second mold part opposing the first mold part, and a second step of pressing the punch in a direction to approach the die so as to mold the composite material and the molded member into shapes corresponding to the first and second mold parts and join the composite material and the molded member to each other. The composite material has a thickness of 0.01 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

A vehicle seating system may include a seat part having a trim material positioned over a base material. A method for producing the seating system may include configuring an attachment arrangement to have an adhesive material and a non-adhesive material bonded to the adhesive material. The method may also include molding the base material onto the non-adhesive material such that a surface of the adhesive material faces outward away from the base material. The trim material may be disposed over the base material such that a back side of the trim material is adhered to the adhesive material.

A leash includes a housing, a spool assembly, a trigger, and a switch. At least a portion of the housing includes a photoluminescent material. The spool assembly is rotatably mounted inside of the housing and is configured to selectively wind a leash. The trigger is movably mounted on an inner section of the grip portion, the trigger being configured to inhibit rotation of the spool assembly in response to actuation of the trigger, and configured to rotate the spool assembly in response to release of the trigger. The switch is mounted on the housing, the switch being configured to move between a locked position in which the trigger is locked in an actuated position, and an unlocked position in which the trigger is free to operate.

A leash includes a housing, a spool assembly, a trigger, and a switch. At least a portion of the housing includes a photoluminescent material. The spool assembly is rotatably mounted inside of the housing and is configured to selectively wind a leash. The trigger is movably mounted on an inner section of the grip portion, the trigger being configured to inhibit rotation of the spool assembly in response to actuation of the trigger, and configured to rotate the spool assembly in response to release of the trigger. The switch is mounted on the housing, the switch being configured to move between a locked position in which the trigger is locked in an actuated position, and an unlocked position in which the trigger is free to operate.

A method for producing a plastic tank having one or more reinforcements. The method includes forming at least one part of the tank wall with a semi-finished panel made of plastic having at least one outer layer composed of a first thermoplastic, forming a reinforcement for the tank wall with at least one fibre-reinforced structural component comprising a matrix composed of a second thermoplastic that is weldable to the first thermoplastic. The fibre-reinforced structural component is then applied to a predefined region of the at least one outer layer of the semi-finished panel. The fibre-reinforced structural component is then fused with the outer layer of the semi-finished panel by applying heat to the semi-finished panel and the applied fibre-reinforced structural component. The fused fibre-reinforced structural component and semi-finished panel is then formed into a final shape. Optionally, the formed component is then connected to at least one other part of the tank wall to form the complete tank wall.

An additively manufactured (AM) hybrid composite structure is disclosed. The AM hybrid composite structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion includes one or more AM elements which are configured to enable integration of the second portion with the first portion to form an integrated component including both the second portion and the first portion. A method of manufacturing a hybrid composite structure is disclosed. The method includes manufacturing a first portion, and additively manufacturing a second portion. The step of additively manufacturing the second portion includes co-printing one or more AM elements. The method further includes using the one or more AM elements as a part of a tool to integrate the first portion with the second portion, and forming an integrated component including both the first portion and the second portion.

A method of producing a fiber-reinforced plastic includes disposing a transparent film as an outermost layer on a lower die of a molding die, disposing a base sheet formed of a fiber fabric on the transparent film, closing the molding die with an upper die, and injecting a matrix resin into the molding die closed. The transparent film has grooves on a surface facing the base sheet. In the disposing, the base sheet is disposed such that the grooves are located between adjacent weaving gaps of the base sheet.

A method of producing a fiber-reinforced plastic includes disposing a transparent film as an outermost layer on a lower die of a molding die, disposing a base sheet formed of a fiber fabric on the transparent film, closing the molding die with an upper die, and injecting a matrix resin into the molding die closed. The transparent film has grooves on a surface facing the base sheet. In the disposing, the base sheet is disposed such that the grooves are located between adjacent weaving gaps of the base sheet.