A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a matrix reservoir, and a fiber guide configured to separately receive a plurality of matrix-wetted reinforcements from the matrix reservoir. The system may also include a die configured to receive the plurality of matrix-wetted reinforcements from the fiber guide and to cause the plurality of matrix-wetted reinforcements to converge into a ribbon. The system may additionally include a cure enhancer configured to cure the matrix in the composite material during discharge of the ribbon from the die, and a support configured to move the die in multiple dimensions during discharge of the ribbon.

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments provide unique extrusion methods and apparatus to create a multi-component product made from various streams of molten plastic. The method for creating multicomponent multilayered products includes merging multiple streams containing individualized component and layer designs into a single stream to form a rod, tube, pipe, filament, or profile shape.

Provided is an extruder and a method for extruding cord reinforced tire components, wherein the extruder has an extruder head with a die and a cord guide. The die is provided with a cross sectional profile that defines a first cross section of the extrusion material in the die, wherein the cross sectional profile has a profile height. The cord guide is arranged for guiding the cords into the die at a cord entry height. The extruder head is provided with first heating elements. The extruder has a control unit that is operationally connected to the first heating elements for generating an adjustable height temperature gradient in the extrusion material across the profile height to control swelling of the extrusion material relative to the cord entry height from the first cross section to a second cross section after the extrusion material leaves the die.

Netting comprising an array of polymeric strands, wherein the polymeric strands are periodically joined together at bond regions throughout the array, and wherein at least a plurality (i.e., at least two) of the polymeric strands have a core of a first polymeric material and a sheath of a second, different polymeric material. Nettings described herein have a variety of uses, including wound care, tapes, filtration, absorbent articles, pest control articles, geotextile applications, water/vapor management in clothing, reinforcement for nonwoven articles, self bulking articles, floor coverings, grip supports, athletic articles, and pattern coated adhesives.

A structural polymeric composite includes a stiffening layer. The composite is made in a continuous extrusion process in which the stiffening layer is pulled through a cross-head die as a polymer is extruded over it. The layer includes a film or textile carrier, a filler of carbon fibers, fiberglass, organic fibers or minerals forming a mat. A binder may be dispersed over the mat and a second carrier applied. The mat is subjected to heat and pressure to soften the carriers and binder so they penetrate into the interstices of the filler and binds mechanically with them and the carriers and binder bind chemically with each other to form the stiffening layer. A polymer is then extruded over the stiffening layer, which may be used flat, provided with holes or punches for composite action with the polymer, formed into a profile, or segmented to provide spaced-apart stiffening layers.

An integral geogrid includes a plurality of interconnected, oriented strands having an array of openings therein that is produced from a coextruded multilayer polymer sheet starting material. By virtue of the construction, the coextruded multilayer sheet components provide a crystalline synergistic effect during extrusion and orientation of the integral geogrid, resulting in enhanced material properties that provide performance benefits to use of the integral geogrid in soil geosynthetic reinforcement.

This disclosure describes co-extruded multilayer articles including at least one continuous layer and one discontinuous layer, as well as systems and techniques for the manufacture of co-extruded multilayer articles. For example, a co-extruded multilayer article is described that includes a body having a plurality of layers, where a first layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a first material and is continuous along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a second layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a second material and is discontinuously co-extruded along the longitudinal axis.

A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a head configured to discharge a composite material including a matrix and a plurality of continuous reinforcements. The system may also include a weave mechanism configured to selectively adjust a pattern of weaving of the plurality of continuous reinforcements occurring inside of the head.

An optical element is produced by introducing a first liquid and a second liquid into respective inlets of a mold. The inlets are connected to a channel that extends to an outlet of the mold, the channel being tapered towards the outlet. The first and second liquids have different refractive indices and partially diffuse into each other inside the channel to form a multi-layer structure. The multi-layer structure is extruded through the outlet, onto a substrate. Curing the first and second liquids forms a solid optical element having a spatially varying refractive index profile in at least one dimension.

Provided is a water absorption treatment material and a method for manufacturing the same, according to which a clump can be formed after use without incurring a decrease in water absorptivity. A water absorption treatment material includes a granular core portion and an embedded portion. A recessed portion is formed on the surface of the granular core portion. The embedded portion is provided in the recessed portion of the granular core portion. The embedded portion contains an adhesive material.