A fiber-reinforced polyimide resin molded article and a production process therefor. After a prepolymer of an addition reaction type polyimide resin and functional fibers are dispersed and kneaded together, the kneaded product is kept at a temperature not lower than the heat curing start temperature of the reaction type polyimide resin for a fixed amount of time or mixed with a thickener to increase its viscosity, and shaped at a temperature not lower than the heat curing start temperature of the reaction type polyimide resin to obtain a molded article having excellent sliding performance with a limit PV value of not less than 3,000 kPa.Math.m/s and excellent shape stability during molding and containing the functional fibers dispersed in the polyimide resin.

A kneading state determination system includes a kneading unit and a determination unit. The kneading unit kneads a kneading material, and transmits a kneading state value indicating a kneading state to the determination unit. Based on the kneading state value transmitted from the kneading unit, the determination unit determines kneading of the kneading material in the kneading unit in accordance with a preset determination condition. The determination condition includes a determination period and a state value range. The state value range is set as a range for the kneading state value. The determination period is a partial period of a period from start to completion of the kneading in the kneading unit.

A formulation for a photopolymer composite material for a 3D printing system includes an acrylate oligomer, an inorganic hydrate, a reinforcing filler, and an ultraviolet (UV) initiator. In the formulation the acrylate oligomer may be found in the range between about 20.0-60.0 w % of the formulation. The inorganic hydrate may be found in the range between about 20.0-50.0 w % of the formulation. The reinforcing filler may be found in the range between about 5.0-60.0 w % of the formulation, and the UV initiator may be found in the range between about 0.001-0.5 w % of the formulation. A method of generating a formulation of a photopolymer composite material for use in a 3D printing system includes using an acrylate oligomer, an inorganic hydrate, a reinforcing filler, and an ultraviolet (UV) initiator.

A kneader internal inspection device according to the present invention suspends and supports a photographing unit, which is arranged in an interior of a kneader and which photographs the interior, so as to be vertically movable in the interior of the kneader. Therefore, such a kneader internal inspection device is capable of easily inspecting the interior of the kneader.

A kneader internal inspection device according to the present invention suspends and supports a photographing unit, which is arranged in an interior of a kneader and which photographs the interior, so as to be vertically movable in the interior of the kneader. Therefore, such a kneader internal inspection device is capable of easily inspecting the interior of the kneader.

A method of forming a composite material includes mixing granules of thermoplastic(s) and granules of reinforcing material(s) using a mixer with an interior friction coating. The friction generated by interaction between the granules and friction coating causes granules of at least one of the thermoplastic(s) to be heated to a liquid or semi-liquid state. The liquid/semi-liquid thermoplastic(s) act a binder for the mixed material. A system for forming such a composite material includes such a mixer with an interior friction coating. The system may also include a mould and/or a press for forming material produced by the mixer into a finished shape. The method and system may use post-consumer and post-industrial material as an input allowing such material to be recycled. In some cases, cross-contaminated or mixed post-consumer/post-industrial material may be recycled, potentially reducing environmental impacts.

An example system is used to mix components and dispense a mixture for forming a thiol-ene polymer article. The system includes a first reservoir containing a first component of the thiol-ene polymer including a first polymerizable compound, and a second reservoir containing a second component of the thiol-ene polymer including a second polymerizable compound. The system also includes a mixing vessel having a mixing chamber, a delivery manifold providing a conduit for fluid from the first and second reservoirs to the mixing vessel, and a dispensing manifold providing a conduit for fluid from the mixing vessel. The system also includes a control module programmed to control the operation of the system.

A kneader includes a kneader main body including a casing including a kneading chamber and a kneading portion that is disposed in the casing and kneads a material in the kneading chamber. The material supplied to the kneading chamber includes a resin material, an inorganic additive added to the resin material, and a coupling agent for enhancing affinity of the inorganic additive for the resin material. The kneader further includes a kneading monitoring portion that monitors a kneading state of the material by detecting a reaction product that is generated by a reaction between the coupling agent and the inorganic additive.

A method is disclosed for preparing and dispensing a mixture obtained by mixing at least one first chemically reactive component and at least one second chemically reactive component containing a dispersed solid material by a high pressure mixing device comprising a mixing chamber for mixing the components, in which a valve member is slidable, in particular a slide-valve, provided with longitudinal slots for recirculating the components to respective storage tanks. The method provides removing from at least one tank, a dosed quantity of the at least second chemically reactive second component to with filler material is added; recirculating the second component through the slots of the slide-valve for a period of time that is comparatively very reduced with respect to a recirculating step of the at least first component through the slide-valve. An apparatus for preparing and dispensing the mixture is also disclosed.

A method is disclosed for preparing and dispensing a mixture obtained by mixing at least one first chemically reactive component and at least one second chemically reactive component containing a dispersed solid material by a high pressure mixing device comprising a mixing chamber for mixing the components, in which a valve member is slidable, in particular a slide-valve, provided with longitudinal slots for recirculating the components to respective storage tanks. The method provides removing from at least one tank, a dosed quantity of the at least second chemically reactive second component to with filler material is added; recirculating the second component through the slots of the slide-valve for a period of time that is comparatively very reduced with respect to a recirculating step of the at least first component through the slide-valve. An apparatus for preparing and dispensing the mixture is also disclosed.