The invention pertains to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object with an additive manufacturing system, such as an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, a selective laser sintering system, and/or an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, comprising providing a support material comprising more than 50% wt. of a semi-crystalline polyamide [polyamide (A)] having a melting point, as determined according to ASTM D3418, of at least 250 C. and possessing a water absorption at saturation, by immersion in water at 23 C., of at least 2% wt.

A method for forming a shaped composite structure. The method includes laying a composite laminate stack onto a mold, where the composite laminate stack comprises fabric laminate and resin and wherein the mold presents a predetermined shape, draping a vacuum film comprising polyethylene onto the composite laminate stack, thereby establishing an evacuatable volume between the vacuum film and the mold, applying suction to the evacuatable volume between the mold and the vacuum film to establish at least a partial vacuum within the evacuatable volume, thereby compressing the composite laminate stack via pressure applied to the vacuum film responsive to the at least partial vacuum within the evacuatable volume, and heating the composite laminate stack while applying suction to the evacuatable volume, thereby at least partially consolidating the laminate stack.

A method for forming a shaped composite structure. The method includes laying a composite laminate stack (12) onto a mold (18), where the composite laminate stack (12) comprises fabric laminate (14,16) and resin and wherein the mold (18) presents a predetermined shape, draping a vacuum film (22) comprising polyethylene onto the composite laminate stack (12), thereby establishing an evacuatable volume between the vacuum film (22) and the mold (18), applying suction to the evacuatable volume between the mold (18) and the vacuum film (22) to establish at least a partial vacuum within the evacuatable volume, thereby compressing the composite laminate stack (12) via pressure applied to the vacuum film (22) responsive to the at least partial vacuum within the evacuatable volume, and heating the composite laminate stack (12) while applying suction to the evacuatable volume, thereby at least partially consolidating the laminate stack (12).

A film tube installed and sealed in a hollow composite part acts as an internal vacuum bag that eliminates the need for an internal mandrel to react compaction forces applied by autoclave pressure during curing of the part.

A film tube installed and sealed in a hollow composite part acts as an internal vacuum bag that eliminates the need for an internal mandrel to react compaction forces applied by autoclave pressure during curing of the part.

A mold, a molding apparatus, and a method for manufacturing articles or components is used to manufacture an article or component of the article that at least partially comprises an ultraviolet (UV) curable material. The mold and apparatus comprise at least one mold wall formed of a cyclic olefin copolymer, which is in contact with UV radiation curable material and allows the article or component of the article to be exposed to UV radiation for a period of time in order to provide for at least partial cure thereof.

Mould and method for realizing a temporary prosthesis of hip or shoulder, which comprises a shaft and a head. The mould comprises: a first mould portion (1) comprising a first half-shell (2); a second mould portion (3) comprising a second half-shell (4); the first mould portion (1) and the second mould portion (3) being able to be coupled with respect to each other so that the first and second half-shell (2, 4) are counter-faced and define a chamber (5) which conforms a shaft portion (5a), a head portion (5b) and an opening (5c) for injection of a fluid (preferably viscous) material; fixing means (6) for fixing the first and the second portion (1, 3); a first insert (7) comprising a cap portion (8) which is realized as a unique body, is dimensioned to be inserted in the head portion (5b) and is conformed to give shape to the head of the prosthesis. The first mould portion (1), the second mould portion (3) and the first insert (7) are mutually conformed to obtain a temporary prosthesis, when the first mould portion (1) and the second mould portion (3) are coupled together, the first insert (7) is inserted in the head portion (5b) and the fluid (preferably viscous) material is injected in the opening (5c).

A mold, a molding apparatus, and a method for manufacturing articles or components is used to manufacture an article or component of the article that at least partially comprises an ultraviolet (UV) curable material. The mold and apparatus comprise at least one mold wall formed of a cyclic olefin copolymer, which is in contact with UV radiation curable material and allows the article or component of the article to be exposed to UV radiation for a period of time in order to provide for at least partial cure thereof.

Calibration basket having exchangeable air guiding elements composed of porous material. The invention relates to a guiding device and to methods for guiding a plastic film, wherein the plastic film can be guided by means of an air cushion, wherein the guiding device comprises a plurality of blower elements (31) each having the foil owing features: at least one supporting element (35), at least one film-guiding element (34), which is at least partially porous, preferably microporous, and which is connected to the supporting element (35). At least one fastening element is provided, by means of which the supporting element (35) and the film-guiding element (34) can be detachably fastened to each other.

There is provided a stretched laminate having superior optical characteristics, easily separable from a base film, and usable for manufacturing a thin polarizer. In addition, there are provided a method of manufacturing a thin polarizer having superior optical characteristics by using the stretched laminate, a thin polarizer manufactured by the method, and a polarizing plate including the thin polarizer.