An ultrasonic device comprising a fusion chamber (10) with an inlet bore (11) for a polymer in pellet, powder or tablet form, a plunger that modifies the volume of the fusion chamber, an outlet bore (12) that communicates with a mould (60), a sonotrode bore (13) through which a distal portion (21) of an ultrasonic head (20) is inserted into the fusion chamber, wherein the distal portion is separated from the rest of the ultrasonic head by a first nodal plane (PN1) in correspondence of a first surface (S1) in contact with a complementary surface of a ring seal (30) that closes the fusion chamber, the ultrasonic to head including a second nodal plane (PN2) away from and parallel to the first nodal plane in correspondence of or adjacent to a second surface (S2) wherein an anchoring device (40) presses the ultrasonic head against the ring seal ensuring a tight closure.

A method and an apparatus of forming a three-dimensional object, wherein the method includes providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, said carrier and said build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling said build region with a polymerizable liquid, continuously or intermittently irradiating said build region with light through said optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from said polymerizable liquid, continuously or intermittently advancing (e.g., sequentially or concurrently with said irradiating step) said carrier away from said build surface to form said three-dimensional object from said solid polymer, said optically transparent member comprising a build plate for a three-dimensional printer comprising: an optically transparent first channel layer; an optically transparent, gas permeable second channel layer on the first channel layer; and a flexible, optically transparent, gas-permeable sheet having an upper and lower surface, the sheet upper surface comprising a build surface for forming a three-dimensional object, the sheet lower surface being positioned on the second channel layer.

The invention provides a method producing contact lenses, comprising the step of: separating the mold into the male and female mold halves, with the silicone hydrogel contact lens adhered on one of the male and female mold halves; cooling the lens-adhere mold half with the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens adhered thereon; bringing a shaped ultrasonic horn in direct contact with at least one area of a non-optical surface of the female mold half or the male mold half having the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens attached thereon; and applying a ultrasonic vibrational energy to the at least one area of the non-optical surface of the female mold half or the male mold half having the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens attached thereon so as to separate the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens from the mold half attached thereon.

A hybrid method of additive manufacturing is provided. The method includes providing a powder material and fusing, by a first heat source, a portion of the powder material to form a three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional structure can define a fill region at least partially filled with the powder material. The method further includes fusing, by a second heat source, the powder material in the fill region. Fusing the powder material in the fill region can solidify the powder material in the fill region and fuse the powder material to the three-dimensional structure for forming a solid object.

Described herein are three-dimensional (3D) printer systems and methods, which may provide for “continuous pull” 3D printing. An illustrative 3D printer includes: a resin container, a base plate, a light source arranged below the resin container and operable to cure resin in the resin container; and a control system operable to: (a) receive model data specifying a 3D structure; (b) determine 2D images corresponding to layers of the 3D object; and (c) generate control signals to operate the light source and the base plate to sequentially form the layers of the 3D object onto the base plate, wherein the base plate moves a formed portion of the 3D object upward after formation of each layer, and wherein at least a surface of a formed portion of the 3D object remains in contact with the resin in the resin container throughout the formation of the layers of the 3D object.

Aspects disclosed herein relate to forming on a substrate fastener elements suitable for use in touch fastener by employing vibration forming methods. The processes described provide for a greater flexibility in manufacturing than prior methods and overcome certain limitations in prior forming techniques. Further, the product made can embody a variety of different configurations suitable for a given application. Employing vibration forming methods, such ultrasonic forming methods, allows for the use of a wider variety of substrate material than materials used with convention methods of touch fastener formation.

A method for manufacturing an engineered stone, the method including: providing a mixture comprising at least a stone or stone like material and a binder; compacting the mixture; curing the binder; and further comprising printing a printed pattern on at least a top surface of the engineered stone.

Aspects disclosed herein relate to forming on a substrate fastener elements suitable for use in touch fastener by employing vibration forming methods. The processes described provide for a greater flexibility in manufacturing than prior methods and overcome certain limitations in prior forming techniques. Further, the product made can embody a variety of different configurations suitable for a given application. Employing vibration forming methods, such as ultrasonic forming methods, allows for the use of a wider variety of substrate material than materials used with convention methods of touch fastener formation.

A forming station comprising a source of pressurized forming fluid, and an injection device comprising an inlet, in fluidic communication with the source of pressurized forming fluid, and an outlet in fluidic communication with the inlet and through which the forming fluid is intended to be injected in the preform and further comprising a stretch rod movable in translation according to the axis of the stretch rod relative to the outlet and arranged to assist the axial deformation of the preform during a stretching phase. The forming station further comprises a vibratory device connected to the stretch rod, arranged to vibrate the stretch rod when said vibratory device is actuated, and a control device arranged to actuate the vibratory device during at least a part of the stretching phase.

There is provided a crack repairing method for suppressing a crack growth in a wall portion. The crack repairing method includes an injection step in which working fluid is injected into a crack formed into a surface of the wall portion of a target object and a vibration step in which vibration is applied to the working fluid in a direction from an crack initiation portion of the crack on the surface to an inner end portion of the crack. The crack repairing method further includes a deformation step in which a cavity is generated in the working fluid by the applied vibration and compressive residual stress is generated at the inner end portion of the crack.