A system for optimizing the multi-extruder deposition process in a 3D printer including multiple extruders requires each extruder to have a body including an outer thermal insulation shell; the shell allowing the inlet/outlet of a fluid for the active and controlled refrigeration of the extruder. A method for optimizing the multi-extruder deposition process in a 3D printer with multiple extruders involves managing the temperature of each extruder using active refrigeration sized so as to have a sudden control of the cooling ramp and to manage the viscosity of the material in the event of extruder change. For the entire duration of the printing with another extruder, the unused extruder nozzle remains in a limited range around the extrusion temperature, thus eliminating downtime, while the solidified filament from the sudden forced cooling is pulled back into a low temperature nozzle area where it does not degrade during non-use.

A method and system are disclosed. A method of printing onto a base having an upper surface spaced from a lower surface by a base thickness includes dispensing a yarn from a nozzle of a printing system and selectively attaching the yarn to a first attachment region. The step of dispensing the yarn includes dispensing a heat-moldable material and a melt-resistant material. The step of selectively attaching the yarn to the first attachment region includes moving the nozzle into the first attachment region. The step of moving the nozzle into the first attachment region reduces the base thickness by a prodding distance. The heat-moldable material bonds to the first attachment region.

A device (4) for the manufacture of an annular extrudate comprises a jacket (2), a crosshead (1) arranged inside of the jacket. The jacket contains a melt passage, whereby the crosshead is arranged in the melt passage, such that the melt passage extends et least at the outlet of the device as an annular melt passage around the crosshead (1). An annular passage (5) is formed between the crosshead and the jacket. The annular passage contains a static mixer (3), whereby the crosshead is at least partially supported by the static mixer in the jacket. The static mixer comprises a plurality of inserts, whereby at least a portion of the inserts is connected to the crosshead and/or the jacket.

The present invention is directed to a method and a system for the production of at least one polymeric yarn comprising means for mixing a polymer (1) with a first solvent yielding a mixture; means for homogenizing the mixture; means for rendering the mixture inert (21, 22, 23); means for dipping the mixture into a quenching bath (30), wherein an air gap is maintained before the mixture reaches the quenching bath (30) liquid surface forming at least one polymeric yarn; means for drawing (41) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once; means for washing (5) the at least one polymeric yarn with a second solvent that is more volatile than the first solvent; means for heating the at least one polymeric yarn (6); means for drawing at room temperature (7) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once; and means for heat drawing (8) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once. The instant invention also concerns a system and method of dosing a polymer mixture with a first solvent into an extruder (26), a device (5), a system and a method of solvent extraction from at least one polymeric yarn, and a method and system of mechanical pre-recovery (4) of at least one liquid in at least one polymeric yarn.

A composition and a manufacturing method of a highly flame-retardant and low-smoke extruded polyvinyl chloride pipe are provided. The composition includes a polyvinyl chloride resin material, a flame retardant additive and a carbon forming additive. The polyvinyl chloride resin material is in an amount between 10 PHR (parts per hundred resin) and 90 PHR. The flame retardant additive is in an amount between 0.5 PHR and 2.0 PHR, and is a phosphorus-containing flame retardant modified by a modifier. The carbon forming additive is in an amount between 0.2 PHR and 1.0 PHR. The carbon forming additive is at least one material selected from a group consisting of zinc chloride, zinc stearate, calcium stearate, zinc hydroxystannate, anhydrous zinc stannate, zinc phosphate and zirconium phosphate. A total added amount of the flame retardant additive and the carbon forming additive in the composition is not greater than 3 PHR.

An article may include a carcass or jacket, and at least one composite member arranged within the carcass or jacket for inhibiting longitudinal stretch of the article. The composite member may include a plurality of fibers arranged in a polymeric binder, the polymeric binder bonding the composite member to the carcass or jacket. The carcass or jacket may be formed substantially of rubber or thermoplastic elastomer. The plurality of fibers may include fibers formed substantially from at least one of S-glass, aramid and carbon fiber. The polymer binder may be formed substantially of a thermoplastic material or of a thermoset material. In manufacturing of the article, the carcass or jacket may be extruded to surround the composite member. The article may be a handrail or an elevator belt.

An ultrafine fiber production device has a first heating unit, a nozzle unit, a hot air heating unit, a hot air blowing unit, a second heating unit, and a fiber collecting unit. The first heating unit melts a thermoplastic resin. The nozzle unit discharges the thermoplastic resin melted by the first heating unit. The hot air blowing unit performs fiber forming by blowing high-temperature gas produced by the hot air heating unit to the melted thermoplastic resin discharged by the nozzle unit and by extending the thermoplastic resin. The second heating unit further heats, extends, and fines produced fibers. The fiber collecting unit collects the thermoplastic resin in a fibrous form which is fined by the second heating unit.

Automatic process control of additive manufacturing. The system includes an additive manufacturing device for making an object and a local network computer controlling the device. At least one camera is provided with a view of a manufacturing volume of the device to generate network accessible images of the object. The computer is programmed to stop the manufacturing process when the object is defective based on the images of the object.

A ram extrusion apparatus including a die having several thermal zones, a hopper for introducing a granular polymer resin to the die, and a ram for moving the granular polymer resin through the thermal zones of the die and out from an outlet end thereof at a temperature above the crystalline melt temperature of the polymer resin. The hopper may be designed to deliver the polymer resin into a resin inlet of the die in a plurality of specifically metered amounts which may vary across a width of the resin inlet end of the die. The apparatus may further include one or more finishing tables positioned after the outlet end of the die for receiving and moving the extruded resin away from the outlet end of the die so that there is no backpressure on the extruded resin, and which provide compression force and even cooling to the extruded resin.

A ram extrusion apparatus including a die having several thermal zones, a hopper for introducing a granular polymer resin to the die, and a ram for moving the granular polymer resin through the thermal zones of the die and out from an outlet end thereof at a temperature above the crystalline melt temperature of the polymer resin. The hopper may be designed to deliver the polymer resin into a resin inlet of the die in a plurality of specifically metered amounts which may vary across a width of the resin inlet end of the die. The apparatus may further include one or more finishing tables positioned after the outlet end of the die for receiving and moving the extruded resin away from the outlet end of the die so that there is no backpressure on the extruded resin, and which provide compression force and even cooling to the extruded resin.