An assembly for cutting a polystyrene block includes a lever element, adapted to be coupled to a hot cutting element, and a control device connected thereto. The lever is arranged so that a potential inclination of the hot cutting element can be followed during the feed motion of the cut, the lever further cooperating with a sensor set to detect a potential inclination deviation of the lever during the cut, in relation to an initial reference inclination, the control device being set to vary feed motion speed depending on the detected variation of inclination.

An eye model comprises a sclera simulation which is made of a bright plastic material and a pattern which contrasts in color with the sclera simulation, the pattern simulating an eye pupil and/or an iris structure. The eye model is used to calibrate an eye tracking system.

An apparatus for manufacturing a part, where the apparatus includes a granular media made of a particulate material and a binding material, where at least a portion of the granular media being formed as a surface of a layup tool.

Particular embodiments of the inventive technology relate to apparatus and methods for cutting multi-layered material to reconfigure it so it may be used to construct sub-compartments in a larger storage container. The inventive technology, in particular embodiments may feature one or more of the following: dual blades, “staggered” blades (where one blade is more forward than another), a blade(s) angled upwards and forwards, blades separated in a left-right direction, prong recesses to accept trailing tips of blades, a rearwardly angled handle and/or a removed material ejection ramp, in conjunction perhaps with other features such as, e.g., a guide prong. One or more of such features may appear in the various manifestations of a defluting cutter or through cutting apparatus, whether guided or unguided, and/or manual or powered.

It is often required to cut designs with inner geometries in foam blocks. In traditional method of cutting with hotwire, cutting can only start from outer edge. This results in a cut line between outer and inner geometries, weakening the design. In this invention, an intelligent rigid heating tool is proposed, that can pierce the raw material in the middle, without having to start from outer edge. A latching mechanism for providing double side support for the rigid cutting tool is proposed. An automatic tool path generation method is also proposed, to prevent the tool from cutting the block, when piercing or retracting. A flexible knife is proposed in this knife, that can make the system compact. A sensor to measure deflection in the knife is also proposed in this system, to implement closed loop speed control, resulting in higher productivity.

The invention described herein provides a method and material for creating tools surfaces from a granulated material comprised of a particulate and binding material in compositions and ratios described below. The granulated material may be formed using a number of methods and provides for the efficient repair of worn or damaged areas. Additionally, the granulated material may be used by placing it on the surface of a tooling encasement, or may be used by itself without any further structural support. The granulated material may also be used for both forming and trimming/machining of the part to desired tolerances.

A contour-cutting machine for cutting a foam block, such as a polyurethane foam block into foam rows, such as pillows, has high productivity. The contour-cutting machine has multiple cutting tools that can be operated simultaneously to cut the foam block. Each cutting tool has a blade that cuts through the foam block. For example, an upper cutting tool and a lower cutting tool mounted over a pillar one above each other can be positioned at a predefined distance from each other and locked together. Each cycle of the process makes two cuts with the two cutting tools in the foam block.

A method and a system for manufacturing a mold for creation of complex objects by controlling and moving two end effectors of a robotic system is provided. The two end effectors have a flexible cutting element attached to, and extending between, the two end effectors. The method includes the steps of: defining at least one surface representing the inner surface of the mold; dividing the surface into a number of segments represented by planar curves on the surface; for each planar curve, calculating at least one elastic curve representing the planar curve; for each calculated elastic curve, calculating a set of data corresponding to placement and direction of the two end effectors for configuring the flexible cutting element to a shape corresponding to the calculated elastic curve; and sequentially positioning the end effectors according to each set of data. The flexible cutting element thereby cuts the mold from a block.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods of manufacturing polishing platens for use on a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) system and polishing platens formed therefrom. A method of manufacturing a polishing includes positioning a polishing platen on a support of a manufacturing system. The manufacturing system includes the support and a cutting tool facing there towards. Here, the polishing platen includes a cylindrical metal body having a polymer layer disposed on a surface thereof and the polymer layer has a thickness of about 100 m or more. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the polymer layer using the cutting tool to form a polishing pad-mounting surface. Beneficially, the method may be used to form a pad-mounting surface having a desired flatness or shape, such as a concave or convex shape.

A cutting machine for cutting a foam product from a foam blank. The cutting machine has a blank holder adapted to receive the foam blank and a cutting blade. At least one of the blank holder and the cutting blade is mounted for movement relative to the other. The blank holder has a first component having a die projection formed on a front surface of the first component. A second component has a cutting surface and an aperture. A third component has a cutting surface and is locatable in the aperture. At least one of the first component and the second component is mounted for movement relative to the other between a first configuration, in which the first and second components are distal to one another, and a second configuration, in which the first and second components are proximal to one another.