An apparatus (110) for shaping an extrudable material (140) comprises a sleeve (126), comprising a first sleeve end (186), a sleeve inlet (148) at the first sleeve end (186), a second sleeve end (188), opposite the first sleeve end (186), and a sleeve outlet (132) at the second sleeve end (188). The extrudable material (140) enters the sleeve (126) through the sleeve inlet (148) and exits the sleeve (126) through the sleeve outlet (132). The apparatus (110) further comprises an actuation mechanism (172), selectively operable to change at least one of a size or a shape of the sleeve outlet (132). The sleeve (126) is sufficiently flexible to enable the actuation mechanism (172) to change at least one of the size or the shape of the sleeve outlet (132). The sleeve (126) is insufficiently stretchable to enable the actuation mechanism (172) to stretch the sleeve (126).

An extruder for a three-dimensional additive printer can be used to receive and dispense material. The extruder can include a number of different components including a nozzle with an adjustable opening configured to discharge material. The nozzle can be configured to be moved and rotated so as to align the adjustable opening with a plurality of paths along which the material is configured to be deposited for generating a three-dimensional object. The adjustable opening can comprise a first orifice and an obstruction member configured to move with respect to the first orifice. The position of the obstruction member can adjust the size of the opening area of the adjustable opening.

A dual head extruder for a three-dimensional additive printer can be used to receive and dispense material. The extruder can include a number of different components including two nozzles, at least one having an adjustable opening configured to discharge material. The adjustable opening can be configured to be moved and rotated so as to align the adjustable opening with a plurality of paths along which the material is configured to be deposited for generating a three-dimensional object. The adjustable opening can comprise a first orifice and an obstruction member configured to move with respect to the first orifice. The position of the obstruction member can adjust the size of the opening area of the adjustable opening.

A die with alignment mechanism includes a die including a through-hole through which a traveling wire travels, a bearing member for rotationally moving the die in a circumferential direction of the traveling wire, and a movable member that moves the die so that a central axis of the through-hole is aligned with a travel direction of the traveling wire without inhibiting the rotational movement of the die produced by the bearing member when the travel direction changes in a direction orthogonal to the travel direction.

The invention relates to an annular die on an extrusion head for producing tubular or sheet-like preforms with an arcuate die gap and with a melt channel delimited by a mandrel and a die body, the cross-sectional profile of the melt channel being variable by way of adjusting elements, the annular die according to the invention being distinguished by the fact that the outer circumference of the melt channel is at least partially delimited directly by at least one radially adjustable slide, that the slide is formed by a number of segments that can be adjusted together from at least one first position into at least one second position, and that the segments in each position form a respectively closed arc portion of the delimitation of the melt channel, the radius of the arc portion being different according to the position of the segments.

An apparatus of manufacturing a rubber member includes an extruder; a mouthpiece; and a support surface which faces the mouthpiece in an opposed manner. The support surface and the mouthpiece are moved relative to each other thus molding a rubber member on the support surface. The apparatus further includes: a rubber pool portion formed between the mouthpiece and the support surface; and a closing surface having an inclined surface shape and capable of closing a moving-direction front side of the rubber pool portion. A rubber material is ejected from an ejection port in a state where the rubber pool portion is closed by the closing surface, the support surface and the mouthpiece are moved relative to each other after the rubber pool portion is filled with the rubber material, and a lamination starting end of the rubber material is pressed to the closing surface thus molding the lamination starting end into an inclined surface and, thereafter, the closing surface is moved in a direction away from the support surface.

An apparatus and method for modifying an aspect of an exterior polymer material or polymer type material of a linear substrate with a fluid. The apparatus include a variable exposure gap within which the linear substrate is exposed to the fluid. The width of the exposure gap is varied with the speed of the linear substrate traversing the exposure gap to maintain a constant exposure time of the linear substrate with the modifying fluid.

An apparatus and method for modifying an aspect of an exterior polymer material or polymer type material of a linear substrate with a fluid. The apparatus include a variable exposure gap within which the linear substrate is exposed to the fluid. The width of the exposure gap is varied with the speed of the linear substrate traversing the exposure gap to maintain a constant exposure time of the linear substrate with the modifying fluid.

A device for applying clay to a surface, in particular for producing models, including a housing with a connection piece for a clay supply hose and with a clay dispensing opening. A disk, which is rotatably seated in a clay dispensing flange opening in a clay-tight manner and is driven by a motor, has the dispensing opening and otherwise closes off the flange opening, and has an elevated portion on its exterior.

In a method of manufacturing objects, extrudable ceramic forming material is extruded through multiple dies arrayed around an extrusion axis, the dies mounted to permit controlled movement of the dies during the course of extrusion to vary the position of several extrudate streams exiting the dies. Extruded objects are defined by spokes corresponding to the extrudate streams with the streams having a varying spacing from a central axis.