The invention relates to mixing elements that have a larger number of basic geometric periods per section and an improved dispersing effect for multi-shaft screw extruders comprising screw shafts that co-rotate in pairs. The invention further relates to the use of the mixing elements in multi-shaft screw extruders, a corresponding screw extruder comprising the mixing elements, and a method for extruding kneadable materials.

A method of manufacturing a workpiece includes heating a pre-formed blank of a first fiber reinforced thermoplastic material in an oven. A second fiber reinforced thermoplastic material is heated in an extruder. The second fiber reinforced thermoplastic material is extruded from the extruder, within the oven, to form an extrudate. The extrudate is positioned on the pre-formed blank of the first fiber reinforced thermoplastic material, within the oven, to form a composite blank. The extrudate may be formed into a shape before being positioned onto the pre-formed blank, after being positioned onto the pre-formed blank. The composite blank may then be transferred to a final shaping station.

A method of forming a fiber-reinforced molding compound. The method includes pre-impregnating carbon reinforcing fibers with a polymeric material to form one or more pre-impregnated continuous strands having at least 30% of the fibers protected by the polymeric material. The method further includes storing the one or more pre-impregnated continuous strands in bulk. The method also includes introducing the one or more pre-impregnated continuous strands into an extruder, forming a molding compound from the one or more pre-impregnated continuous strands, dispensing the molding compound from the extruder, and using the molding compound to produce a part.

A method of forming a fiber-reinforced molding compound. The method includes pre-impregnating reinforcing fibers with a polymeric material to form one or more pre-impregnated continuous tapes. The method further includes storing the one or more pre-impregnated continuous tapes in bulk, and introducing the one or more pre-impregnated continuous tapes into an extruder. The method further includes forming a molding compound from the one or more pre-impregnated continuous tapes, dispensing the molding compound from the extruder, and using the molding compound to produce a part.

Assay cartridges are described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain embodiments, these cartridges are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick. Also described are kits including such cartridges and a cartridge reader configured to analyze an assay conducted using an assay cartridge.

An apparatus for additively manufacturing an article includes a heat block, a nozzle in operable communication with the heat block and configured to receive a feed material, a heat break coupled to the heat block, at least a portion of the heat break extending into the heat block, and a radiator secured to at least one surface of the heat break. Related tools for additively manufacturing a material in a vacuum and related methods are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a method for applying, to an inorganic surface, a self-adhesive PVC composition which comprises a composition (C) comprising: an optionally protected aminosilane; and at least one compound selected from a titanium complex, a zirconium complex and an optionally protected isocyanate compound;
said method comprising a step of activating said surface, selected from heat treatment, a shot-peening step, a plasma treatment step, cleaning With solvent and a step of silica application.

A method and assembly for providing multi-stage extrusion of an article exhibiting an open interior. A multi-stage extrusion operation includes a first stage extrusion for receiving an initially extruded or otherwise pre-existing inner sleeve and extruding a surrounding sleeve and a plurality of radially projecting portions. A second stage subsequently extrudes an outer circular sleeve about the radially projecting portions. A third stage extrudes at least one wing portion to an outer edge of the outer circular sleeve.

An inline method for producing a spring strip profile (1) for a slatted frame that comprises at least one core strand (2) formed by a fiber-reinforced plastic and at least one thermoplastic cover layer (3) surrounding the core strand (2), comprises at least the following steps: joining multiple fibers, threads and/or filaments to form a fiber bundle (2.1); impregnating the fiber bundle (2.1) with a thermally activatable reaction resin; molding the outer contour of the fiber bundle (2.1) impregnated with the reaction resin; thermally activating the reaction resin (2.1) to form a cured core strand; introducing the core strand (2) into an extruder head (110); applying thermoplastic melt in the extruder head (110) to form the cover layer (3) on the spring strip profile (1); and cooling and calibrating the spring strip profile (1) in a cooling and calibrating device (111, 112, 113). The outer contour of the fiber bundle (2.1) is wrapped around, in a winding machine (105), by at least one thread or filament (2.2) supplied laterally in relation to the fiber bundle in at least one position and orientation, and, in a heating section (106), before the core strand (2) is introduced into the extruder head (110), at least a partial curing of the reaction resin is achieved, at least in the wrapped outer layer of the fiber bundle (2.1).

A method of forming a fiber-reinforced molding compound. The method includes establishing a melt stream of a source material and dosing a composite material into the melt stream. The composite material includes carbon reinforcing fibers pre-impregnated by a polymeric material. The composite material has at least 30% of the fibers protected by the polymeric material. The method further includes forming a molding compound from the source and composite materials, dispensing the molding compound from the extruder, and using the molding compound to produce a part.