An extrusion head arrangement has a plurality of extrusion heads arranged next to one another along a transverse axis. Each extrusion head has a housing with at least one flow channel for forming a strand of extrudable plastic in the direction of a longitudinal axis. The housing has an outer housing part extending along the longitudinal axis with an outer circumferential surface. A longitudinal bore parallel to the longitudinal axis is arranged in the outer housing part. The outer circumferential surface of the outer housing part has an oval cross-section with a largest diameter and a smallest diameter. The extrusion heads are arranged next to each other with the smallest diameters parallel to the transverse axis. The longitudinal bores are each arranged on a diameter deviating from the smallest diameter.

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.

A method for coating a pipe involves applying a coating material of cellular structured extruded thermoplastic material to the pipe and enclosing it on the outside by an outer covering layer of compact plastic. In an extrusion head, the annular opening for supplying coating material can be adjusted to a desired temperature by a region having coolant channels separated from the annular opening by an annular heat exchange surface. Before being applied to the pipe, the flowable coating material is guided along the heat exchange surface and cooled to a temperature just above the solidification temperature thereof. After the coating material leaves the annular opening, the coating material expands in a controlled manner, widening the outer covering layer depending on the adjusted temperature of the coating material, until the coating material begins to solidify. The outer covering layer surface condition can correspond to or be different from the pipe.

Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting thickness of an extrudate in an extrusion die system. A lip adjustment assembly includes an engagement member connected to a movable lip of an extrusion die and being movable in a first and second direction opposite the first direction; an actuator configured to move the engagement member in the first and second directions; a coupler connected to both the engagement member and the actuator and disposed between the engagement member and the actuator; and an insulator on the coupler and configured to impede conduction of heat from the engagement member to the actuator. When the engagement member is moved in the first direction, the movable lip is moved toward a second lip of the extrusion die, and when the engagement member is moved in the second direction, the movable lip is moved away from the second lip.

A tubular parison for forming a medical device balloon. The parison is formed of a polymeric material, for instance a thermoplastic elastomer. The parison has an elongation at break which is not more than 80% of the elongation of the bulk polymeric material. The elongation of the parison is controlled by altering extrusion conditions. Balloons prepared from the parisons provide higher wall strength and/or higher inflation durability than balloons prepared from conventional parisons of the same material.

A tubular parison for forming a medical device balloon. The parison is formed of a polymeric material, for instance a thermoplastic elastomer. The parison has an elongation at break which is not more than 80% of the elongation of the bulk polymeric material. The elongation of the parison is controlled by altering extrusion conditions. Balloons prepared from the parisons provide higher wall strength and/or higher inflation durability than balloons prepared from conventional parisons of the same material.

A method for applying a strip of elastomeric material to a surface is described. The method of forming a strip of elastomeric material includes the steps of: pumping an elastomeric material through a nozzle, positioning an opening of a nozzle in mating engagement with a rotatable roller, rotating the roller so that rotation of the roller pulls the elastomer material through the outlet of the nozzle, forming a strip.

An apparatus for extruding a jacket and/or insulative material onto an extruded product with one or more longitudinal stripes incorporated onto the surface of said extruded product comprising a body, a primary feed conduit for conveying a primary extrusion material, a striping die, a secondary feed conduit for conveying a secondary extrusion material, a striping die adapter, a striping feed conduit extending through the striping die adapter for conveying striping extrusion material. The striping die adapter may also include a thermocouple for maintaining the viscosity of the striping extrusion material and a thermocouple for monitoring the temperature of said striping die adapter. The striping die includes one or more striping extrusion outlets for conveying striping extrusion material onto the extruded product. The striping die may also include a wishbone-shaped trough for delivering equal amounts of striping extrusion material to said extrusion outlets for extrusion onto the product.

An extruder for 3D FDM printing with a highly thermally conductive ceramic nozzle that allows for very high temperature operation suitable for printing metals and high melting point plastics, whilst also being hard wearing to cope with abrasive materials. A heating element is printed onto the nozzle to allow for high temperatures in a compact space. A skirt attached to the nozzle provides heating to already deposited material to assist in bonding metal as it is deposited, as well as fume extraction. A non-conductive ceramic down tube thermally isolates the nozzle from the material feed mechanism. All major parts are themselves 3D printed.

Disclosed are interfacially modified particulate and polymer composite material for use in injection molding processes, such as metal injection molding and additive process such as 3D printing. The composite material is uniquely adapted for powder metallurgy processes. Improved products are provided under process conditions through surface modified powders that are produced by extrusion, injection molding, additive processes such as 3D printing, Press and Sinter, or rapid prototyping.