Method for operating an apparatus for producing plastic preforms and plastic containers, comprising at least one injection moulding machine and one blow moulding machine, wherein the plastic preforms are injection moulded within the injection moulding machine and are formed into plastic containers within the blow moulding machine and are transported from the injection moulding machine to the blow moulding machine, wherein a heating device is arranged downstream of the injection moulding machine and the injection moulding machine and the blow moulding machine are coupled to one another. According to the invention, the plastic preforms produced in the injection moulding machine are transferred directly after production to a thermal preform storage, which holds the plastic preforms at a predetermined temperature and wherein a speed and/or at least one parameter of at least one subsequent treatment device can be changed.

A multi-layer nozzle for injection molding includes a nozzle housing, a valve stem, a stem guide, an insert, and a nozzle tip. The insert may comprise a 3D metal printed insert. In embodiments, a 3D metal printed insert may be configured to split and combine the flow of materials, which may form a multi-layered article, such as a preform. A method of using such a multi-layer nozzle to form articles is also disclosed.

The invention concerns a preform for a container made of plastic material, comprising a cylindrical body that extends along an axis of revolution of the preform and a bottom that closes the cylindrical body. The bottom has an outer profile with a central portion and a curved portion joining the central portion to the cylindrical body. The central portion has, in longitudinal cross-section, a first concave section. The curved portion has successively, in longitudinal cross-section, from the first concave section towards the cylindrical body, a first convex or frustoconical section, a second concave section and a second convex or frustoconical section.

A material system may include: an aluminum layer; a glass composite layer adjacent to the first aluminum layer; and a carbon composite layer adjacent to the first glass composite layer, and opposite to the first aluminum layer. A method of manufacturing a material system may include: stacking an aluminum layer, glass composite layer that may include thermoplastic prepreg plies, and carbon composite layer so that the aluminum layer is adjacent to the glass composite layer, and the glass composite layer is adjacent to the carbon composite layer; and consolidating the thermoplastic prepreg plies to soften the aluminum layer. A method of manufacturing a material system may include: stacking an aluminum layer, glass composite layer that comprises thermoplastic resin, and carbon composite layer so that the glass composite layer is between the aluminum and carbon composite layers; and adjusting temperature and pressure to consolidate the stack.

A thermally expandable composition that comprises at least one organic compound having at least one cyclic carbonate group as a blowing agent, at least one catalyst for the blowing agent, at least one reactive binder and at least one hardener and/or accelerator. Also provided are molded bodies containing the composition, and a method for sealing and filling hollow spaces in components, in order to strengthen or stiffen components, in particular hollow components, and for adhering movable components through use of molded bodies of this type, as well as to the use of corresponding cyclic organic carbonates as a blowing agent in thermally expandable compositions.

A male mould element includes a cooling circuit having first passage elements obtained in a first component of the male mould element and second passage elements obtained in a second component of the male mould element, the first passage elements and the second passage elements being distributed around a longitudinal axis of the male mould element so that there exist a plurality of angular positions of the first component relative to the second component in which the first passage elements are in fluid communication with the second passage elements.

A fiber optic cable and connector assembly including a fiber optic connector mounted at the end of a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly including a stub fiber supported within a ferrule. The stub fiber is fusion spliced to an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable at a location within the fiber optic connector.

Techniques and compositions are disclosed for three-dimensional printing with powder/binder systems including, but not limited to, metal injection molding powder materials, highly-filled polymer composites, and any other materials suitable for handling with various additive manufacturing techniques, and further suitable for subsequent debinding and thermal processing into a final object.

A method is provided for managing the temperature of heat sensitive material located near a repair patch being thermally cured on a composite skin using a heating blanket. The method comprises configuring an assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks to fit within a space between the heating blanket and the heat sensitive material. The assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks is then installed against the skin within the space, forming a heat sink that conducts a portion of heat out of the composite skin away from the heat sensitive material.

A method of moulding (10; 20) and apparatus (108; 208; 308) therefor, in which a workpiece (100) is preheated and/or post-cooled before and/or after a moulding process, allowing optimal use of the tool for high precision moulding operations.