Flows of first and second viscous materials of respective colors are provided and then combined in a predetermined pattern to form a stream of combined viscous material. A dynamic mixer is the then used to apply a predetermined dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to partially mix the first viscous material and the second viscous material, such that upon exiting the dynamic mixer, the first material of the first color and the second material of the second color form a color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. The dynamic mixer has elements configured for acquiring a specific radial orientation in a range of radial orientations that may be varied during the application of the dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to cause variations in the color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material.

A system and method are presented in which a flow of plastic is extruded to obtain nano-sized features by forming multiple laminated flow streams, flowing in parallel through the non-rotating extrusion system. Each of the parallel laminated flow streams are subjected to repeated steps in which the flows are compressed, divided, and overlapped to amplify the number of laminations. The parallel amplified laminated flows are rejoined to form a combined laminated output with nano-sized features. The die exit is formed to provide a tubular shape.

A system and method are presented in which a flow of plastic is extruded to obtain nano-sized features by forming multiple laminated flow streams, flowing in parallel through the non-rotating extrusion system. Each of the parallel laminated flow streams are subjected to repeated steps in which the flows are compressed, divided, and overlapped to amplify the number of laminations. The parallel amplified laminated flows are rejoined to form a combined laminated output with nano-sized features. The die exit is formed to provide a tubular shape.

A system for manufacturing a gradient material structure comprises a proportioner feedblock section and a mixer feedblock section. The proportioner feedblock section has a first flow inlet for receiving a first polymer material in melted form, a second flow inlet for receiving a second polymer material in melted form, and one or more proportioner channels. Each mixer channel may 2024/159199 be configured to simultaneously receive from the corresponding proportioner channel the first polymer material at a first volume flow rate and the second polymer material at a second volume flow rate. Bic ratio between the first and second volume flow rates may be defined by a polymer transfer ratio for the respective mixer channel. The polymer transfer ratios may differ between two or more of the mixer channels. Each proportioner channel may be housed within a respective insert cassette removably mounted within the remainder of the proportioner feedblock section.

A system for manufacturing a gradient material structure comprises a proportioner feedblock section and a mixer feedblock section. The proportioner feedblock section has a first flow inlet for receiving a first polymer material in melted form, a second flow inlet for receiving a second polymer material in melted form, and one or more proportioner channels. Each mixer channel may 2024/159199 be configured to simultaneously receive from the corresponding proportioner channel the first polymer material at a first volume flow rate and the second polymer material at a second volume flow rate. Bic ratio between the first and second volume flow rates may be defined by a polymer transfer ratio for the respective mixer channel. The polymer transfer ratios may differ between two or more of the mixer channels. Each proportioner channel may be housed within a respective insert cassette removably mounted within the remainder of the proportioner feedblock section.