One aspect of the disclosure relates to an apparatus including an extrusion nozzle. The nozzle includes an inlet end, an outlet end opposite the inlet end and an axis extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle is configured to rotate about the axis. The extrusion nozzle also includes a rotary drive engagement portion between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle further includes a cavity including an inlet opening at the inlet end and an outlet opening at the outlet end. The inlet opening has a different configuration than the outlet opening.

The extrusion of polymer compositions based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and in particular to a method in which polymer compositions are produced that have an elongation at break of at least 200%, a tensile strength of at least 10 N/mm2 with a specific energy input SEI of 0.03 to 0.20 kWh/kg and in particular 0.04 to 0.16 kWh/kg. The method is expediently carried out such that a plasticiser is added in a plurality of portions to the non-composed polyvinyl chloride and mixed into said polyvinyl chloride. The method thereby offers a fast and simple possibility of producing products from finished soft PVC, the production of said products requiring only a single processing device in the form of an extruder.

Described herein are strength characteristics and biodegradation of articles produced using one or more petrochemical-based polymers and one or more carbohydrate-based polymers. A compatibilizer can optionally be included in the article. In some cases, the article can include a film or bag.

A support structure of a 3D printer may include a printable surface that receives a heated bead of material and can support one or more extruded layers of material from the 3D printer. The support structure may include at least one inlet adjacent to the printable surface and one or more outlets that exit onto the printable surface. The one or more outlets are hermetically sealed to the inlet. The support structure may also include an injection mechanism operatively coupled to the at least one input.

Improvements in the extrusion of thermohardenable materials are achieved by cooling the material in the initial zone of the extruder and reducing residence time by use of a prescribed length to diameter ratio and screw speed, particularly useful for intermittent application during robotically controlled mass production.

Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

An apparatus comprising a three-dimensional (3D) drawing pen can permit a user to draw a 3D object in free space that retains its shape against gravity. The 3D drawing pen can include a body, a sensor supported by the body, a motor, and a nozzle assembly disposed at a distal end of the body. The motor can drive material toward the nozzle assembly upon actuation by the sensor. The nozzle assembly can include an extruder and an exit nozzle. The extruder can have a heating element for melting material and permitting the material to be extruded out of the exit nozzle in a solid form upon actuation of the motor by the sensor. The user can manipulate the 3D drawing pen to draw a 3D object that retains its shape against gravity.

A tube including a tetrafluoroethylene/fluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, where the copolymer has 500 or less functional groups per 10.sup.6 carbon atoms; the copolymer has a melting point of 280 to 315 C.; the copolymer has a fluoroalkyl vinyl ether unit content of 3.0 to 12.0 mass % based on total monomer units; the copolymer has a melt flow rate of 1 to 15 g/10 min; the tube releases, from an inner surface thereof, 3500 or less particles per 1 cm.sup.2 of the inner surface of the tube; and an amount of total organic carbon eluted with water from the inner surface of the tube is 50 ng or less per 1 cm.sup.2 of the inner surface of the tube.

High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces.

A support structure of a 3D printer may include a printable surface that receives a heated bead of material and can support one or more extruded layers of material from the 3D printer. The support structure may include at least one inlet adjacent to the printable surface and one or more outlets that exit onto the printable surface. The one or more outlets are hermetically sealed to the inlet. The support structure may also include an injection mechanism operatively coupled to the at least one input.