A 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method based upon a 3D variable die system and including one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to continuously produce thermoplastic composite pultrusions with at least one of varying cross-section geometry and constant surface contours, varying cross-section geometry and varying surface contours, and constant cross-section geometry and varying surface contours.

A portable vinyl sheet bending apparatus having an arcuate assembly for contacting a plastic composite member and a frame having a substantially planar frame base member. The apparatus includes a heating assembly mounted within the frame of the machine to provide uniform heat to a plastic composite member such that the temperature of heat provided allows for the plastic composite member to become pliable. The arcuate assembly includes two cylindrical rotator bars and a rotatable arcuate arm member for arcuately forming an edge of the planar plastic composite member between and around the cylindrical rotator bars.

Method of calendering the continuous ply of reinforcing threads, during which: said ply of reinforcing threads is positioned between a continuous upper sheet of rubber and a continuous lower sheet of rubber, said sheets of rubber having a width greater than the width of the ply of reinforcing threads, so that the two lateral parts of said sheets of rubber which are not vertically aligned with the ply of reinforcing threads form selvedges. The assembly formed in the preceding step is introduced into the nip of a calendering comprising at least two rolls, so as to cause the rubber to penetrate the spaces between the reinforcing threads. Prior to the ply of reinforcing threads and the sheets of rubber being introduced into the nip of the calender, the two selvedges of one of the sheets of rubber are turned up on themselves.

Dental appliances with shaped material components and methods of forming the same. Methods may include forming a shell to have one or more cavities that are configured to receive a patient's dentition. The shell may be configured to reposition one or more teeth of the patient's dentition toward a new configuration. One or more flaps of material may be folded to form a specialized feature of the dental appliance. The specialized feature may be configured to impart one or more specialized forces to one or more specific locations of the patient's dentition or dental arch.

A multi-layer plastic film is describe herein that comprises at least one first layer comprising a metallocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) octene resin, at least one second layer comprising a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) octene resin, at least one third layer comprising a polypropylene (PP) resin, wherein the at least one third layer comprises one of a metallocene homopolymer polypropylene (mHPP) resin, a random copolymer polypropylene (RCPP) resin, and a metallocene polypropylene (mPP) resin. The multi-layer plastic film comprises a thickness of six microns or less.