Systems and methods for making it easier to remove support structures printed in conjunction with printing an object using stereolithographic additive manufacturing are disclosed. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more interfaces between the printed object and the support structures are modulated to allow for easy separation between them, in some instances even when the object and support structures are made from the same material. Various modulation techniques are disclosed, including adjusting an intensity of exposure to light at interfaces between the object and support structures, and using two materials where one material cures at two wavelength ranges and the other material only cures at one of the two wavelength ranges. Other systems and methods that allow for easy separation of part and support structure are also described.

A fabrication method of an elastomer breath structure includes the steps of applying a liquid elastomer onto a substrate an initial curing of the liquid elastomer on the substrate partially into a partially cured polymer, condensation of water droplets from the environment onto the partially cured polymer, and finishing curing of the partially cured polymer with parallel removal of the water droplets creating surface dimples on the cured elastomer.

The present invention relates to a method of shaping a cured thermosetting resin substrate, and more particularly to a method of shaping a cured thermosetting resin using electromagnetic radiation, said method comprises providing a cured thermosetting resin substrate; providing a confined temperature controlling environment; placing the cured thermosetting resin substrate in the confined temperature controlling environment; providing a source of electromagnetic radiation; irradiating the cured thermosetting resin substrate in the confined temperature controlling environment; and shaping the irradiated thermosetting resin substrate.

The present invention describes a method for producing a leak-tight vessel for holding a gas and/or liquid, comprising the steps of winding a heat-sealable thermoplastic barrier strip around a removable mandrel in such a way that each strip fragment overlaps with a substantially parallel strip fragment over at least a lateral overlapping distance, consolidating the overlapping strip fragments so as to form a gas and/or liquid tight layer, winding a fibrous material around the gas and/or liquid tight layer, thereby leaving an opening large enough for removing the mandrel. The invention also describes a leak-tight vessel produced in this way.

A conductive device to form electrical connections on the surface of a structure made of composite material. The device includes a thin interface layer having a face via which the device is fixed to the surface of the structure made of composite material. A conductive metal element is placed on the face of the interface layer opposite the face making contact with the surface of the structure. The conductive element is configured to be able to undergo tensile and compressive stresses without damage. A protective layer is configured to protect the conductive element from attack from the environment surrounding the structure. These various elements are arranged relative to one another such that the length of the conductive element can vary as a function of temperature variations independently of the amplitude of the variations undergone by the structure on which the device is mounted.

Articles including nanoscale fibers aligned by mechanical stretching are provided. Methods for making composite materials comprising a network of aligned nanoscale fibers are also provided. The network of nanoscale fibers may be substantially devoid of a liquid, and may be a buckypaper. The network of nanoscale fibers also may be associated with a supporting medium.

A method of rivet bonding a workpiece stack-up that includes one or more polymer composite workpieces, such as carbon fiber composite workpieces, involves several steps. In one step, adhesive is applied to a surface of the workpiece stack-up. In another step, workpiecesincluding the polymer composite workpiece(s)are brought together. In yet another step the adhesive is partially or more cured. A rivet is installed through the workpiece stack-up and through the adhesive in another step. The method strengthens the resulting rivet-bonded joint by minimizing or altogether precluding fracture, cracking, and/or delamination thereat.

Embodiments provide a method for forming a groove on a pile encapsulation jacket to form an interlocking joint on the pile encapsulation jacket. A spacer may be used to form the groove. First, a pile jacket laminate is formed on a mandrel surface. The pile jacket laminate may be partially cured to have a solid but sticky surface. The spacer may be placed on the pile jacket laminate. An additional layer of laminate may be formed on at least a portion of the pile jacket laminate and at least a portion of the spacer. The entire structure may be cured and the spacer may be removed. A groove is formed between the pile jacket laminate and the additional layer of laminate at a space previously occupied by the spacer. The groove has the same width as the portion of the spacer that was covered with the additional layer of laminate.

Provided is a fuel tank which allows effective suppression of the deformation of a fuel tank body and has excellent durability. This fuel tank is equipped with: a fuel tank body; connecting members which partially connect the opposed inner wall surfaces of the fuel tank body to each other, and/or abutment portions where the opposed inner wall surfaces of the fuel tank body partially abut on each other; and reinforcing members which are provided integrally with the outer wall surfaces of the fuel tank body and reinforce the outer wall surfaces. The fuel tank is configured such that the reinforcing members are equipped with: base portions which are disposed at positions corresponding to the connecting members and/or the abutment portions; and extension portions which extend along the outer wall surfaces from the base portions.

The present invention describes a method for producing a leak-tight vessel for holding a gas and/or liquid, comprising the steps of winding a heat-sealable thermoplastic barrier strip around a removable mandrel in such a way that each strip fragment overlaps with a substantially parallel strip fragment over at least a lateral overlapping distance, consolidating the overlapping strip fragments so as to form a gas and/or liquid tight layer, winding a fibrous material around the gas and/or liquid tight layer, thereby leaving an opening large enough for removing the mandrel. The invention also describes a leak-tight vessel produced in this way.