A production method for a fiber-reinforced resin molded object is provided whereby a large apparatus is not used when molding, by heating and pressing, a fiber-reinforced resin base material that includes a matrix resin, a molded object with excellent precision and quality can be obtained, and for which work is simple.

The production method includes arranging, on an inner surface of a lower mold 3, a fiber-reinforced resin base material 1 obtained by impregnating a matrix resin into reinforcing fibers; filling a core space 5 of the mold, in which the fiber-reinforced resin base material 1 is arranged, with a powder mixture 2a that has liquidity and that includes thermally expandable microcapsules and another powder; sealing the lower mold 3 and an upper mold 4; heating at from a heat expansion starting temperature to a maximum expansion temperature of the thermally expandable microcapsules to cause the thermally expandable microcapsules to expand; and pressing the fiber-reinforced resin base material 1 against the inner surface of the lower mold 3 to produce a molded object.

Three-dimensional structures may be formed on a substrate using a propellant that may decompose to form a gaseous byproduct. At least one overlying shell layer may deform due to volumes of gas between the substrate and the shell layer formed by the gaseous byproduct, thereby forming the three-dimensional structures. Multiple layers of propellant and shell layers may be stacked to multi-layered, three-dimensional structures. Propellant with different concentrations and shell layers with different thicknesses and materials may be used to control the shapes formed when the propellant is decomposed. Alternatively, porous layers may be deposited on a substrate and heated to expand volumes of gas between the substrate and the porous layers, thereby forming three-dimensional structures. The three-dimensional structures may be formed as microlenses in imaging sensor pixels, as it may be desired to form an array of microlenses that vary in size, shape, or curvature across one or more pixels.

A hollow article for use as a beverage cup, or as a container, the hollow article having an annular sidewall and a base wall defining a central hollow cavity, a top rim of the sidewall and a bottom end of the sidewall, wherein the annular sidewall has a plastics material composed of a sandwich structure of inner and outer skins and an integral expanded cellular foam layer therebetween, wherein at least a portion of the annular sidewall has an inner surface of the sandwich structure inclined at a first acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the hollow article and an opposite outer surface of the sandwich structure inclined at a second acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the hollow article, wherein the second acute angle is greater than the first acute angle.

A vehicle interior board which is thin, lightweight, has high strength, has less degradation, peeling and the like near an end portion of a metal plate, and has high quality and excellent productivity; and a method for manufacturing the same. The vehicle interior board includes a pair of metal plates and a foamed polyurethane layer formed between the pair of metal plates. A projecting ridge projecting outwardly and extending in a predetermined direction along the outer surface is formed on an outer surface of the metal plate. Thus, it is possible to obtain desired strength and rigidity even when the metal plates or the foamed polyurethane layer are thinned or when a lightweight aluminum plate or the like is adopted as the metal plates. Therefore, it is possible to reduce weight of a vehicle interior board.

A vehicle interior board which is thin, lightweight, has high strength, has less degradation, peeling and the like near an end portion of a metal plate, and has high quality and excellent productivity; and a method for manufacturing the same. The vehicle interior board includes a pair of metal plates and a foamed polyurethane layer formed between the pair of metal plates. A projecting ridge projecting outwardly and extending in a predetermined direction along the outer surface is formed on an outer surface of the metal plate. Thus, it is possible to obtain desired strength and rigidity even when the metal plates or the foamed polyurethane layer are thinned or when a lightweight aluminum plate or the like is adopted as the metal plates. Therefore, it is possible to reduce weight of a vehicle interior board.

The inventive fiber manufacturing process is particularly adapted for demanding applications such as sports racquets. Because of the improved strength to weight ratio of components formed using the inventive method, a wide range of flexibility is achieved, allowing use of the inventive process to manufacture, for example, a fiber reinforced (for example, graphite) modular sports racquet, optionally provided with user-selectable weights and/or handle replacements. The inventive fiber (for example, graphite fiber) racquet frame is filled with a plastic foam and is formed using, for example, microencapsulation technology to time, generate and apply the pressure and gives the same or greater strength for a given size compared to conventional racquets. Advantageously, an outer tubular member may be used to form the racquet frame, with an inner tubular member extending around the head of the racquet frame.

The inventive fiber manufacturing process is particularly adapted for demanding applications such as sports racquets. Because of the improved strength to weight ratio of components formed using the inventive method, a wide range of flexibility is achieved, allowing use of the inventive process to manufacture, for example, a fiber reinforced (for example, graphite) modular sports racquet, optionally provided with user-selectable weights and/or handle replacements. The inventive fiber (for example, graphite fiber) racquet frame is filled with a plastic foam and is formed using, for example, microencapsulation technology to time, generate and apply the pressure and gives the same or greater strength for a given size compared to conventional racquets. Advantageously, an outer tubular member may be used to form the racquet frame, with an inner tubular member extending around the head of the racquet frame.

The inventive fiber manufacturing process is particularly adapted for demanding applications such as sports racquets, including tennis racquets, badminton racquets and other sports applications. Because of the improved strength to weight ratio of components formed using the inventive method, a wide range of flexibility is achieved, allowing use of the inventive process to manufacture, for example, a fiber reinforced (for example, graphite) modular sports racquet, optionally provided with user-selectable weights and/or handle replacements. From the standpoint of the player, this allows a racquet frame featuring self customization. From the standpoint of a retailer, the benefit provided is reduction of inventory. The inventive fiber, for example graphite fiber) racquet frame is filled with a plastic foam and is formed using, for example, microencapsulation technology to time, generate and apply the pressure used to form the graphite composite material of which the racquet is comprised. Advantageously, inner and outer tubular members may be used to form the racquet frame, with the inner tubular member extending around the head of the racquet frame. This compares to the standard industry technique of air injection. The racquet is thus not hollow like conventional graphite racquets, and the walls therefore can be made thinner than those of existing graphite racquets still being of the same strength or being stronger, which gives the racquet exceptional performance. In addition, the overall dimensions of, for example the cross-section, of the racquet can also be reduced while still maintaining performance characteristics.

The inventive fiber manufacturing process is particularly adapted for demanding applications such as sports racquets, including tennis racquets, badminton racquets and other sports applications. Because of the improved strength to weight ratio of components formed using the inventive method, a wide range of flexibility is achieved, allowing use of the inventive process to manufacture, for example, a fiber reinforced (for example, graphite) modular sports racquet, optionally provided with user-selectable weights and/or handle replacements. From the standpoint of the player, this allows a racquet frame featuring self customization. From the standpoint of a retailer, the benefit provided is reduction of inventory. The inventive fiber, for example graphite fiber) racquet frame is filled with a plastic foam and is formed using, for example, microencapsulation technology to time, generate and apply the pressure used to form the graphite composite material of which the racquet is comprised. Advantageously, inner and outer tubular members may be used to form the racquet frame, with the inner tubular member extending around the head of the racquet frame. This compares to the standard industry technique of air injection. The racquet is thus not hollow like conventional graphite racquets, and the walls therefore can be made thinner than those of existing graphite racquets still being of the same strength or being stronger, which gives the racquet exceptional performance. In addition, the overall dimensions of, for example the cross-section, of the racquet can also be reduced while still maintaining performance characteristics.

Technologies are provided herein for processing edible materials using tools associated with a fabrication system. In one aspect, a fabricator includes a control module and a drive assembly controlled by the control module. The fabricator also includes at least one food processing tool head coupled to the drive assembly that can process material for fabricating an edible structure on a build surface.