A device for introducing continuous fiber into a product material is provided. The continuous fiber is provided from at least one continuous fiber supply. The device comprises a housing having a first opening and a second opening. A channel is formed through the housing from the first opening to the second opening. At least one fin member extends from the housing into the channel with the at least one fin member having a conduit formed therethrough. Upon the product material travelling through the channel of the housing, the continuous fiber travels from the continuous fiber supply, through the conduit, and into the product material. The continuous fiber increases strength and stiffness of the product material while decreasing time-dependent creep deformation of the product material.

An extruder for use in an additive manufacturing process. The extruder includes an inner housing and an outer housing. A material feed channel extends through the extruder. The material feed channel is positioned between the inner housing and the outer housing. The inner housing is mounted to allow the inner housing to rotate relative to the outer housing, and the outer housing is mounted to allow the outer housing to rotate relative to the inner housing. The rotation of the inner housing and outer housing moves material through the material feed channel and introduces shear forces to the material to decrease the viscosity of the material. A heating element is provided proximate the housing and extends about the entire circumference of the housing. The heating element provides even and controlled heating across the entire extruder.

The invention relates to an extrusion device and an extrusion method for the extrusion of plastic profiles, in particular a nozzle plate, comprising at least one flow channel for plastic melt. At least one wall region of the flow channel can be temperature controlled in a targeted manner with a local temperature control device for setting the flow speed of the plastic melt.

Disclosed is a device and method for dynamic extrusion molding of plastic articles having variable micro-channel. The device mainly includes a single-screw extruder, a dynamic extrusion die, a fluid source, a water sink, a tractor, a winding device, and a data acquisition and control system. Near outlet of extrusion die, when the end portion of a syringe needle is at different positions, the inner diameter of the micro-channel of the extrusion molded plastic article is also different. When the hollow syringe core within the dynamic extrusion die performs a high-frequency short-range vibration along an extrusion direction, the inner diameter of the micro-channel of the extruded plastic articles is dynamically variable. The plastic articles of variable micro-channel of the present invention has novel structure with high dimensional accuracy, and a variety of varying patterns, it can be stably produced by simple processing equipment with high level of automation.

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.

System and method for producing plastic products from a recycled plastic mix of unidentified, unclean and unsorted mixed plastic waste comprises the thermal and mechanical processing of the recycled plastic waste using continuous extrusion foaming, two-phase cooling, continuous metering of the pulling strength and automatic adjustment of the pulling speed and extrusion speed.

A control mechanism for maneuvering an end effector is provided. The control mechanism comprises multiple actuator assemblies, multiple arm assemblies, and the end effector. Each of the multiple arm assemblies connect the end effector and the multiple actuator assemblies respectively. Each multiple actuator assemblies controls the movement of the multiple arm assemblies independently. One of the arm is rotated by a tool actuator where the rotating motion of the rotating arm drives a tool attached at the end effector. The control mechanism positions the tool actuator away from the end effector, thereby operating the tool at a remote location away from the end effector.

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a combined polymeric structure are disclosed. The apparatus includes an extruder body (110), a die (120) configured to receive flowing polymeric material from the extruder body (110) and a motion unit. The die includes a hollow inner die (122), a protecting sleeve (124) located within the inner die (122) and an outer die (125) located at an exit (128) end of the hollow inner die (122). The motion unit is configured to cause bidirectional translational motion of the hollow inner die (122) relative to the outer die (125).

A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising a downstream portion having a first average inner cross-sectional area, and an upstream having a second average inner cross-sectional area that is less than the first inner cross-sectional area, the upstream portion defining a shoulder configured to restrict movement of a melt meniscus of a consumable material.

One aspect of the disclosure relates to an apparatus including an extrusion nozzle. The nozzle includes an inlet end, an outlet end opposite the inlet end and an axis extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle is configured to rotate about the axis. The extrusion nozzle also includes a rotary drive engagement portion between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle further includes a cavity including an inlet opening at the inlet end and an outlet opening at the outlet end. The inlet opening has a different configuration than the outlet opening.