A method for additive manufacturing includes: forming a three-dimensional object by: depositing a layer of a powdered build material onto a surface; selectively depositing a liquid comprising a susceptor onto the layer of the powdered build material in a pattern; and heating the object by electromagnetic radiation with a microwave or radio wave frequency, in an atmosphere including oxygen, to a temperature sufficient to sinter the powdered build material.

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. The preheating 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 methods for its use, are described herein.

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 method for baking a continuous mat of mineral or plant fibers successively includes application of an aqueous solution, containing a binder diluted in the solution, onto mineral or plant fibers, shaping of the fibers to form a continuous mat on a conveyor in motion, and heating the mat in movement through an oven by a hot air flow at a temperature higher than the curing temperature of the binder. Furthermore, at least partial drying of the mat is carried out before entry into the oven. The at least partial drying includes irradiation of the mat in movement with radiofrequency electromagnetic waves whose frequency lies between 3 MHz and 300 GHz.

Methods are disclosed including thermally processing a scaffold to increase the radial strength of the scaffold when the scaffold is deployed from a crimped state to a deployed state such as a nominal deployment diameter. The thermal processing may further maintain or increase the expansion capability of the scaffold when expanded beyond the nominal diameter.

A fabrication process and apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects by depositing a first polymer layer, printing a first ink layer on to the first polymer layer, depositing a second polymer layer on to the first ink layer, and printing a second ink layer on to the second polymer layer. The deposition and printing steps may be repeated until a three-dimensional object is formed. The inks used to form at least one of the first and second ink layers may include dyes or pigments so that the three-dimensional object may be a colored three-dimensional object.

A method of fabrication processing a pre-preg material includes applying electromagnetic heating to a composition including a fiber and a resin. The electromagnetic heating is conducted with at least one fringing field capacitor utilizing radio frequency (RF) alternating current (AC) and controlling cross-linking of the resin in the composition via the electromagnetic heating.

Disclosed is a system and method for splitting dual lumens using hot stamping. The system includes a die assembly having a heated die with a septum that is configured to split the dual lumen to form a split catheter by splitting the septum of the dual lumen. The die can receive a pair of mandrels therethrough, wherein the mandrels are configured to support a dual lumen loaded thereon. The dual lumen and the mandrels are pushed via a block into the die until the dual lumen passes through the septum within the die and two lumens are fully formed. The lumens are cooled with an air blast and the mandrels are removed after the lumens are cooled.

A method of repairing a polymeric composite workpiece. The method comprises identifying a localized area of the polymeric composite workpiece having a defect. A plurality of three dimensional interface structures are aligned adjacent at least a portion of the localized area. The method includes applying a polymeric composite patch to the localized area such that the interface structures are disposed between the polymeric composite workpiece and the polymeric composite patch. An alternating electromagnetic field may be introduced to selectively induce localized heating of the interface structures. The localized heating softens regions of the polymeric composite workpiece and the polymeric composite patch adjacent the interface structures, causing the interface structures to penetrate a distance into the respective polymeric composite workpiece and the polymeric composite patch.

A device and method for processing a 3D polymer structure with a paramagnetic substance distributed homogeneously in the material of the 3D polymer structure is disclosed. A magnetic field generator generates a static magnetic field in a working zone of the device. Gradient coils for generating magnetic gradient fields in at least all three spatial directions x, y, z, where the paramagnetic substance can be spatially encoded in a defined voxel V of the 3D polymer structure. An RF field generator irradiates RF radiation into the working zone. A control unit controls the RF field generator in such a way that the spatially encoded paramagnetic substance in the voxel V can be excited by a field frequency of the RF radiation which is tuned to the paramagnetic substance, in order to destroy or decompose the 3D polymer structure solely in the defined voxel V.