Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an extrusion nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to extruding the filament from the extrusion nozzle.

A method for depositing a structure comprising interdigitated materials includes merging flows of at least two materials in a first direction into a first combined flow, dividing the first combined flow in a second direction to produce at least two separate flows, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and merging the two separate flows into a second combined flow.

A polymer-sheathed multi-filamentary strand for use in braided covers for wiring harnesses intended for use in challenging embodiments comprises a core of glass filaments wrapped in an aramid yarn, and sheathed in a siloxane-modified polyetherimide polymer. Shielding against electromagnetic interference may also be provided.

An upstream/downstream process for making map pocket stiffeners formed of extruded material and a wire. The extrusion is drawn through a die of a main extruder forming a main body with a channel and the extrudate is then pulled through a first cooling tank to cool the extrudate and set the profile. The wire is automatically indexed into the channel by a programmable indexing device for proper location and distance between each piece of wire. The extrudate with the wire is re-heated and then pulled through a secondary extruder to encapsulate and seal the wire within the extruded material. The extrudate is cooled in a second cooling tank and passes through a series of rollers to achieve a predetermined shape before being cut and profiled to predetermined lengths and dimensions.

A method of making a rubber hose includes the steps of providing an inner rubber layer including a hollow part, and forming a first braided layer on the inner rubber layer by braiding a plurality of first yarn materials including a vinylon fiber made by a dry process such that the braided first yarn materials includes a braid formed in a three-over, three-under pattern. Next, a middle rubber layer is formed on the first braided layer. A second braided layer is then formed on the middle rubber layer by braiding a plurality of second yarn materials including a vinylon fiber made by a wet process such that the braided second yarn materials includes a braid formed in a two-over, two-under pattern. Finally, an outer rubber layer is formed on the second braided layer.

A process for in-line laminating a heavy-gauge transparent polymer sheet with a pre-pre-formed polymer film to produce a laminated polymer sheet. The pre-formed polymer film can impart one or more aesthetic or functional elements to the heavy-gauge polymer sheet. The resulting laminate can have equivalent, or enhanced, properties as compared to conventionally-prepared laminates and can be formed into a variety of articles with multiple end uses.

A method of manufacturing a catheter shaft includes the steps of forming an inner layer of a first polymeric material, forming a plait matrix layer including a second polymeric material about the inner layer, and forming an outer layer of a third polymeric material about the plait matrix layer. The plait matrix layer includes a braided wire mesh partially or fully embedded within the second polymeric material, which is different from at least one of the first polymeric material forming the inner layer and the third polymeric material forming the outer layer. The second polymeric material has a higher yield strain and/or a lower hardness than at least the first polymeric material, and preferably both the first and the third polymeric materials. The first polymeric material and the third polymeric material may be different or the same. The catheter shaft may be formed by stepwise extrusion, co-extrusion, and/or reflow processes.

According to the invention an apparatus for extrusion of a structured extrudate, which can be introduced into a human or animal body, is provided. This apparatus comprises an extrusion apparatus with a housing, whereas the housing has a revolving lateral wall which at a front end in the direction of production is provided with a nozzle wall with an outlet nozzle, and in the direction of production prior to that with a global sleeve, whereas the space in the housing between the global sleeve, the lateral wall and the outlet nozzle confines an extrusion space, and the housing in the region of the extrusion space can be connected to a polymer feeding appliance. In the global sleeve at least one guide channel extending in the direction of production is provided in order to be able to insert at least one rod-shaped body from a feeding appliance for rod-shaped bodies into the extrusion space, whereas the at least one guide channel is arranged in about straight alignment to the outlet nozzle.

A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

Methods of coating a base tube are disclosed. Various methods include passing a hollow base tube into a coating die while maintaining a chamber pressure outside the hollow base tube that is lower than a pressure within an inner lumen of the hollow base tube. Such methods can include extruding coating material onto the hollow base tube to form a coated hollow tube by delivering coating material into the coating die. Vacuum may be formed within the coating die proximate a point of impingement where the coating material is applied to the hollow base tube.