Provided is a laminating apparatus configured to improve the uniformity of the thickness of a laminate to be obtained to improve the yield of a product, such as a laminate. The laminating apparatus includes a pressing device including a first press block that is advanceable and retreatable, a second press block arranged to face the first press block, a first pressing rubber mounted inside the first press block, and a second pressing rubber mounted inside the second press block, the first pressing rubber and the second pressing rubber facing each other, the first pressing rubber having formed on a surface thereof facing the second pressing rubber a convex frame configured to surround a peripheral edge portion thereof.

A process of 3D scanning lactating women's breasts to generate an AutoCAD model of the maternal nipple is disclosed. The 3D scanning and generation of a plurality of maternal nipple shapes for creation of breastfeeding accessories and molds is intended to closely mimic a specific mother's unique nipple shape, which can vary widely from one woman to another. The embodiments eliminate nipple confusion in infants being introduced to a bottle nipple and pacifier, in order to promote prolonged breastfeeding. Mimicking a mother's unique nipple shape helps create accessories that better fit a mother's unique nipple size and shape and decrease pain (i.e. pump flange and nipple shield).

An example mandrel for processing a part is described including a plurality of elastomeric components aligned end to end and spaced apart linearly to form a segmented mandrel body, and compressible interconnections positioned within spacing between adjacent elastomeric components and abutting the adjacent elastomeric components. The compressible interconnections allow the plurality of elastomeric components to expand axially due to thermal expansion resulting in a distribution of pressure. An example method for fabricating a composite part is also described including placing a base composite layer into a cavity of a tooling surface, inserting a mandrel into the cavity of the tooling surface such that the base composite layer is between the mandrel and the tooling surface, applying a skin to the mandrel and the base composite layer forming a package, enclosing the package in a vacuum bag and curing, and removing the mandrel from the cavity of the tooling surface.

Systems and methods are provided for compacting laminates. One embodiment is a method for compacting a laminate onto a surface of a forming tool. The method includes placing the laminate onto the forming tool, disposing a compaction device over the laminate, gripping the compaction device to the forming tool, compacting the laminate with a pressure foot of the compaction device, and removing the compaction device from the forming tool.

The method for producing a skin material includes heat-pressing a raw material using an embossing die to obtain a skin material having a concave part formed on a front surface side and a flat back surface. The raw material is heat-pressed between the embossing die and an elastic mat to form, as the concave part, at least one of a plurality of concave parts for intensity display having different depths of a bottom and a concave part for gradation display in which the depth of the bottom gradually changes.

According to one embodiment, a mixture includes a fluoropolymer monomer having at least one functional group amenable to polymerization, a pore-forming material, and a polymerization initiator. According to another embodiment, a product includes a porous three-dimensional structure comprising a crosslinked fluoropolymer, where at least 20% of a volume measured within an outer periphery of the porous three-dimensional structure corresponds to the pores.

The improved mold assembly for cultured marble molding is provided. The mold assembly can comprise a male mold portion and a female mold portion. The assembly can further comprise a molding tool. The molding tool can have a side wall having an upper curved s and a lower curved portion. The molding tool can be constructed from a flexible and/or soft material. The lower curved portion of the molding tool can be coated with a gel coat having a first color. The molding tool can facilitate molding of a countertop having a recessed bowl portion having a color different from a counter portion of the countertop.

Methods, devices, and systems are provided for the encapsulation of electronic devices. The encapsulation includes positioning an electronic device in a cavity of a mold, and screen or stencil printing an encapsulant, in a liquid form, around the flexible electronic device. The mold is of a sufficient thickness to allow the encapsulant to completely cover electronic components mounted on a first surface of the electronic device.

A hybrid mandrel for forming a composite part may comprise a core and a sleeve located around the core. The core may include a rigid material. The sleeve may comprise an elastomeric material. The part may be formed by locating the hybrid mandrel in an injection mold, depositing a molten resin around the hybrid mandrel, curing the molten resin; and removing the hybrid mandrel.

A method for making an aerodynamic element, particularly for an aircraft, including an external face and a plurality of parallel ribs and/or grooves formed on the external face, the method including making the element and its ribs and/or its grooves simultaneously with a mold, including a step to supply a film made of a deformable material that includes ribs and/or grooves complementary to the ribs and/or grooves of the element, a step to position the film on a wall of the mold, a step in which the element is molded, a step in which the element is separated from the mold simultaneously with the film, and a step in which the film is separated from the element.