A method is for producing a profile segment of a segmented casting-vulcanizing mold for vehicle tires, the molding area of which molds a segment of the tread profile of a tire to be vulcanized, including the steps: creating a rigid model segment having a casing-like tread surface; milling the profile positive of the tread into the casing-like tread surface of the model segment to obtain the master model; creating a flexible impression from the master model; creating a rigid plaster cast from the impression to form a casting core segment; casting all of the annular, placed-together casting core segments with an aluminium-magnesium alloy to obtain a vulcanizing mold, subsequently divided into profile segments. A plasma coating is applied to the tread of the model segment, into which the profile positive of the tread is subsequently milled to obtain the master model. Plasma coating gives the master model a defined roughness.

Provided are a production method of a mold, a manufacturing method of a pattern sheet, a production method of an electroform, a production method of a mold using an electroform, and an original. The production method includes: preparing an original having an inclined portion which is formed in an enclosed shape on an outer peripheral portion of a protruding pattern formed at a center portion on a base and gradually increases in thickness from inside toward outside, and a thermoplastic resin sheet; and forming a recessed pattern on the thermoplastic resin sheet by pressing the original which is heated against the thermoplastic resin sheet at a position where a flat surface of the original and a surface of the thermoplastic resin sheet are separated from each other, cooling the original in the state where the original is pressed, and separating the original from the thermoplastic resin sheet.

An artificial nipple is formed of an elastomeric polymer by use of 3D printing after imaging of a mother's breast in an active state of lactation. The artificial nipple used as an attachment to a baby bottle or as the nipple component of a pacifier. Use of an artificial nipple formed in this manner mitigates a problem with nipple confusion, as may otherwise manifest in newborn offspring.

A method of making a mold, the mold having an interior cavity for containing a first material and a second material, wherein the mold comprises a first port configured to receive the first material, a second port configured to receive the second material, and a first channel for directing the second material to within the first material, the method includes: determining an electronic file having data representing a shape of an ear; processing the electronic file to create an electronic model of the mold, the electronic model of the mold having sprue features; and creating the mold based on the electronic model of the mold.

The present disclosure provides a method of investment casting using additive manufacturing. In one aspect, the method includes: creating a digital model of a building component using one or more software tools executed on a computer device and importing the digital model in an additive manufacturing apparatus; producing a first physical specimen by controlling the additive manufacturing apparatus in accordance with the digital model; creating a first negative mold using the first physical specimen as a template, the first negative mold having a hollow space substantially defined by a surface profile of the first physical specimen; producing a second physical specimen using the first negative mold; creating a second negative mold enclosing the second physical specimen therein; producing a casting piece using the second negative mold; and finishing the casting piece to produce the building component.

A resin amount for forming each first-stage resin layer portion (a first-stage resin replica portion) 41da in a first process is defined to be greater than a resin amount for forming each second-stage resin layer portion (a second-stage resin replica portion) 41db in a second process. Therefore, at a boundary between the first-stage resin layer portion 41da and the second-stage resin layer portion 41db, a joint portion 48 at which resin overlaps is formed, whereby occurrence of an undercut shape can be avoided. Therefore, in a molding process using a sub-master die 40 and a sub-sub-master die 50 obtained from the sub-master die 40, occurrence of an undesired shape can be avoided, whereby mold release resistance can be reduced or eliminated.

Aspects of the present disclosure describe cylindrical molds that may be used to produce cylindrical masks for use in lithography. A structured porous layer may be deposited on an interior surface of a cylinder. A radiation-sensitive material may be deposited over the porous layer in order to fill pores formed in the layer. The radiation-sensitive material in the pores may be cured by exposing the cylinder with a light source. The uncured resist and porous layer may be removed, leaving behind posts on the cylinder's interior surface. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Methods for fabricating composite tools and composite tools are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating a composite tool includes providing a master mold and forming a low temperature cured resin laminate overlying the master mold. The low temperature cured resin laminate is heated and compressed to form a cured low temperature cured resin laminate, the low temperature cured resin laminate heated to a first temperature. The cured low temperature cured resin laminate is removed from the master mold and a high temperature cured resin laminate is formed overlying the cured low temperature cured resin laminate. The high temperature cured resin laminate is heated and compressed to form a cured high temperature cured resin laminate. The high temperature cured resin laminate is heated to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature.

Methods for mass production of new microfluidic devices are described. The microfluidic devices may include an array of micro-needles with open channels in fluid communication with multiple reservoirs located within a substrate that supports the micro-needles. The micro-needles are configured so as to sufficiently penetrate the skin in order to collect or sample bodily fluids and transfer the fluids to the reservoirs. The micro-needles may also deliver medicaments into or below the skin.

A method for manufacturing a molded product with fine structure includes steps of, in a temperature-controlled stamper mold provided with a fine structure including a concavo-convex pattern having a width of 10 nm to 1 μm, forming a thermoplastic molten polymer layer to be in contact with the fine structure 20 of the stamper mold having been kept at a predetermined temperature and holding the thermoplastic molten polymer layer for a predetermined time so as to transfer the fine structure of the stamper mold to the thermoplastic molten polymer layer under gravity.