A method for bending towpreg to yield a desired amount of axial force during bending to form a preform is provided including inserting towpreg into a bending die, applying an initial axial force to the towpreg, and moving the gripped end of the towpreg in an involute path using a cam, a cam follower and a gripper, the gripper disposed on the cam follower. Axial force between the gripped end and the stationary end of the towpreg from a point where the towpreg contacts a surface of the bending die is applied tangent to the surface of the bending die while bending the towpreg. An apparatus for bending towpreg to form a preform is provided including bending dies disposed in fixed positions, and a follower. Axial involute cam mechanism having a drive shaft, a cam, a cam follower that follows an involute path around the cam, a gripper and a clamp.

Devices, assemblies, kits, systems and methods for shaping of elongated elements containing thermoplastic polymers are disclosed.

A light guide bender (also referred to as an optical tube bender) is provided including an integrated bending mechanism that allows the surgical tube to be bent to the appropriate length (e.g., matching the retractor height). By bending the tube at an angle, potential obstruction caused by the optical fiber is reduced and the need to create various lengths of optical tubing is also eliminated. In one embodiment, the surgical tube may also include markings designating length of the surgical tube. For example, if 200 mm of surgical tubing is needed, then the marking for 200 mm can be located on the surgical tubing and the tubing can be bent at this location.

A method of manufacturing a coated low-friction medical device, such as low-friction medical tubing, including applying a coating to one or more selected portions of a surface of low-friction medical tubing to indicate at least one marking formed along the surface of the low-friction medical tubing, and simultaneously or substantially simultaneously: (a) curing the applied coating to a designated temperature (which is above the temperature at which the low-friction medical tubing begins to decompose and shrink) to adhere the applied coating to the surface of the low-friction medical tubing, (b) utilizing one or more anti-shrinking devices to counteract or otherwise inhibit the shrinking of the low-friction medical tubing, and (c) exhausting any harmful byproducts resulting from curing the low-friction medical tubing to a temperate above the temperature at which the low-friction medical tubing begins to decompose.

An apparatus for bending a composite tube that includes an induction coil. Induction coil includes multiple turns and the turn-to-turn spacing changes at least once along the length of the induction coil. There is a heating element positioned near the induction coil and the induction coil is configured to cause the heating element to increase in temperature.

The present disclosure is directed to a method of forming a composite component. The method includes laying one or more layers of uncured composite material onto a mandrel. The mandrel which includes a plurality of conductive media dispersed in a thermoplastic material. An electric current is supplied to the mandrel to resistively heat the one or more layers of uncured composite material to a temperature sufficient to cure the one or more layers of uncured composite material to form a cured composite component. The mandrel is removed from the cured composite component.

A tapered implantable device includes an ePTFE tubular member having a tapered length portion. The tapered length portion provides rapid recovery properties. The tapered length portion can feature a microstructure that includes a multiplicity of bent fibrils.

The invention relates to a device (1) for bending a profiled workpiece (2), comprising a movably mounted, drivable bending tool (3) and a holder (4) for the profiled workpiece (2), the holder (4) having a profiled channel (29) for the profiled workpiece (2), on the outlet side (5) of which is formed a counter-tool (5′) for the profiled workpiece (2) when the latter is bent, wherein the bending tool (3) can be driven relative to said counter-tool (5′).

A method of making a 3D tube and the 3D tube made thereby. The method comprises: inserting a deflated pre-formed bladder into the 3D tube; and inflating the pre-formed bladder to deform the 3D tube and make the 3D tube have a substantially similar shape as that of the pre-formed bladder inflated.

An apparatus for bending a plastic conduit section including a tabletop surface; a base surface adjacent a front edge, wherein the base surface is perpendicular to the tabletop surface; and a movable arm having a proximal end and a movable arm surface, wherein the movable arm surface is perpendicular to the tabletop surface, and wherein the proximal end is pivotably attached to the base surface such that the movable arm is configured to pivot azimuthally around the proximal end along the tabletop surface. The apparatus also includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the movable arm such that the movable arm surface is at a desired angle to the base surface; a hot box configured to heat plastic conduit; and a water drainage system disposed adjacent the tabletop surface and configured to remove water from the tabletop surface.