A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn or waveguide configured to apply the microwave power to a small area to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites. The spot curing may secure components in place for further handling, after which a thermal or oven treatment will cure the remaining adhesive to develop adequate strength for service. A related method is also disclosed.

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the production of a particle foam part, wherein a mould cavity (5) is filled with foam particles, the foam particles are welded into a particle foam part and the particle foam part is cooled down in the mould. The foam particles are heated by means of a ceramic body (17) with integrated resistance heating and by the application of electromagnetic waves.

Provided herein according to some embodiments is a method of forming a three-dimensional intermediate object with a polymerizable liquid, said polymerizable liquid comprising a mixture of (i) a microwave absorbing material, (ii) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (iii) a second solidifiable component that is different from said first component. Optionally, but in some embodiments preferably, the method includes supporting the three-dimensional intermediate with a separate support media prior to solidifying and/or curing the second solidifiable component in the three-dimensional intermediate to form the three-dimensional object; and then optionally separating said support media when present from said three-dimensional object.

The device relates to a device for producing plastic bodies wherein the device comprises a photopolymer curing unit comprising at least one radiation source with a selected radiation spectrum or spectrums for curing of light hardening photopolymer, a mold which mold is partially or wholly comprised of light transmissive material which material allows the passage of radiation of selected spectrum or spectrums for curing of light hardening photopolymers, and a fixture for securing and rotating the mold along one or more axis.

Light hardening photopolymer is introduced into the cavity of the mold and exposed to a selected radiation spectrum or spectrums for curing of light hardening photopolymers through the mold light transmissive material thereby hardening and curing the light hardening photopolymer whereupon the cured light hardening photopolymer is removed from the mold and the process repeated.

The device permits the production of photopolymer molded bodies or photopolymer coated bodies in a continuous or discontinuous process.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing and curing of liquid media, comprising a supply system comprising at least one reservoir for the liquid medium, a nozzle for ejecting the liquid medium into a mould (10) and/or onto a workpiece and means (22) connecting the nozzle and the reservoir; and a microwave system (16,18) which comprises a microwave source (16) for producing microwave radiation for irradiating the liquid medium in an irradiation zone (20) in the supply system, wherein the irradiation zone (20) is arranged between the reservoir and the nozzle. The apparatus further comprises a displacement assembly for translating and/or rotating the nozzle with respect to the mould (10) and/or the workpiece in a controlled manner. According to further aspects, the invention also relates to a system and a method for dispensing and curing of liquid media.

A system for controlling the temperature of a film before and/or during application, the system including: a heat source for heating a film; and stretch rollers; wherein the heat source heats the film from an ambient temperature to a temperature from about 2° C. to about 40° C. above the ambient temperature, wherein the film is heated prior to or simultaneous to being stretched by the stretch rollers, and wherein the ambient temperature is below 15° C. A system for improving the application of film by transfer of electrostatic charge is also described. The preheating system and/or electrostatic charge system may be used to enhance binding and sealing properties of stretch films used for wrapping palletized products in a reduced temperature environment. Other embodiments of the preheating film system and electrostatic charge system, and methods for their use, are described herein.

A tool for the production of particle foam parts through the welding of foam particles by means of electromagnetic waves comprises two mould halves which bound a mould cavity. At least one of the two mould halves is made of a material which is transparent to electromagnetic waves and has a boundary wall which bounds the mould cavity and one or more supports serving to support the boundary wall on a capacitor plate on the side facing away from the mould cavity and forming one or more hollow spaces. A tool system for the production of particle foam parts has the tool and at least one trimming body, which is designed for introduction into the hollow space or at least one of the hollow spaces. A method for the production of a particle foam part with the tool or tool system is also specified.

The present invention relates to a polymer foam laminate structure (1), comprising—a first solid layer (101) having a density of more than 1000 g/l, which is covered by at least one first functional layer (103), —a polymeric foam layer (105) provided on the at least one first functional layer (103), —a second solid layer (109) having a density of more than 1000 g/l, which is covered by at least one second functional layer (107), the at least one second functional layer (107) being in contact with the polymeric foam layer (103), wherein the polymeric foam layer (105) has a density of 20 g/l to less than 1000 g/l. The present invention further pertains a method for preparing a polymer foam laminate structure (1) and a composite component (1000) inter alia comprising the polymer foam laminate structure (1).

A soundproof material includes rubber sponge having a specific gravity of 0.2 or less, which is formed by extrusion molding and a subsequent crosslinking and foaming of a rubber composition using a microwave heating device. The rubber composition includes at least raw material rubber, a crosslinking agent, a foaming agent, and carbon black. The soundproof material has a rectangular cross-sectional outer shape, has at least two hollow parts inside formed by a lateral partition wall extending in a left-right lateral direction and at least two hollow parts formed by a vertical partition wall extending in a vertical direction. The method includes adding carbon nanotubes to the rubber composition.

The present technology provides a carbon fiber reinforced plastic that includes carbon fibers covalently bonded to an energetic polymer and a polymer matrix. Also described is a method for recycling carbon fibers from the carbon fiber reinforced plastic material using microwave energy to separate the carbon fibers from the polymer matrix.