Methods and apparatus for the fabrication of solid three-dimensional objects from liquid polymerizable materials at high resolution. A material is coated on a film non-digitally, excess material is removed digitally, by laser, leaving an image of a layer to be printed, and the image is then engaged with existing portions of an object being fabricated and exposed to a non-digital UV curing light source. Since the only part of the process that is digital is the material removal, and this part is done by laser, the speed of printing and the robustness of the manufacturing process is improved significantly over conventional additive or 3D fabrication techniques.

A hot-pressing tool mounted on a press and operable under a controlled atmosphere, a method for implementing such a hot-pressing tool, and a facility for manufacturing objects that includes such a hot-pressing tool. The tool includes a first tool portion having a first fastening device to fasten onto a first platen, a second tool portion having a second fastening device to fasten onto a second platen. The first fastening device and the second fastening device are mobile with respect to one another to define a pressing chamber having an inner volume which is heated via a heating device. The first fastening device and the second fastening device each respectively have a pressing member to exert a pressing force on opposite faces of an object to be pressed in the pressing chamber. The heating device is to heat via optical radiation that is concentrated on the object via a concentration device.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for creating a solidified material using a machine tool. In some aspects, the machine tool supplies a current to an induction coil such that the induction coil generates a magnetic field. The machine tool changes the magnetic field to induce eddy currents in a first conductor surrounding a feedstock and a second conductor surrounded by the feedstock. The machine tool uses the eddy currents to cause the feedstock to transition from a solid state to a uniform malleable state regardless of the feedstock's electrical conductivity.

A forming apparatus is equipped with (i) a conveyance unit configured to convey a formation sheet, that expands due to irradiation with electromagnetic waves, along a conveyance path in a state in which tension for causing bending in accordance with a conveyance path that is convexly bent is applied, and (ii) an irradiation unit configured to irradiate with the electromagnetic waves the formation sheet during conveyance by the conveyance unit in the state in which the tension is applied.

An apparatus for internal heating of end portions of pipes made of thermoplastic material having a central axis including a heating element, designed to be inserted at least partially inside an end portion of a pipe made of thermoplastic material for heating an inner cylindrical surface of the portion, the heating element including an infra-red radiation unit designed to face at least partially the inner cylindrical surface.

A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material.

A first tooling die and a second tooling die are movable with respect to each other. The first tooling die and the second tooling die form a die cavity. The first tooling die and the second tooling die comprise a plurality of stacked metal sheets. A plurality of air gaps is defined between adjacent stacked metal sheets. A first smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and connected to the first tooling die. The first smart susceptor material has a first Curie temperature. A second smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and associated with the second tooling die. The second smart susceptor material has a second Curie temperature lower than the first Curie temperature. A flexible membrane is between the second tooling die and the first smart susceptor material. The flexible membrane is configured to receive pressure.

A device includes an electromagnetic radiation delivery system such as a laser of light emitting diode infrared emitter configured for delivery of electromagnetic radiation within a sealed canal such as an ear canal, a fiber optic cable configured for delivering or capturing the electromagnetic radiation within the sealed canal, and a photo detector coupled to the fiber optic cable forming a portion of a voice communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A method and apparatus for forming a composite structure. A plurality of consolidated overbraided thermoplastic preforms are co-consolidated in a circumferential stackup that is circumferentially constrained. Fibers of the plurality of consolidated overbraided thermoplastic preforms are tensioned during co-consolidation.

A system for treatment of a multi-layered cushioning product includes at least one web layer and at least one expandable layer including a water-based heat-expandable adhesive (WBHEA), comprising: (a) at least one radiator module for irradiating the multi-layered cushioning product including at least one emitter, such as a filament, panel or the like, emitting infrared radiation at an operative temperature of at least 600° C. and at most 3000° C. wherein the at least one radiator module having a power output density of at least 10 kW/m2 and/or at most 300 kW/m2 and (b) a conveyor for moving the, cushioning product relative to the at least one radiator module.