A novel cutting-edge structure and method and apparatus for manufacturing the cutting-edge structure is provided. The cutting-edge structure is comprised of naturally derived or renewable material at greater than 50% by volume fraction. In one embodiment, the naturally derived material is a cellulose nanostructure such as a cellulose nanocrystal. The cellulose nanocrystal is processed using a base or mold structure to provide a cutting edge of any shape such as linear or circular edge structures. The process includes dual cure steps to produce an optimal cutting-edge structure without shrinkage. The formed cutting-edge structure can be utilized as a razor blade as it is formed with very sharp tip and edge suitable for cutting hair. The base structure can form one or more cutting-edge structures simultaneously.

A novel cutting-edge structure and method and apparatus for manufacturing the cutting-edge structure is provided. The cutting-edge structure is comprised of naturally derived or renewable material at greater than 50% by volume fraction. In one embodiment, the naturally derived material is a cellulose nanostructure such as a cellulose nanocrystal. The cellulose nanocrystal is processed using a base or mold structure to provide a cutting edge of any shape such as linear or circular edge structures. The process includes dual cure steps to produce an optimal cutting-edge structure without shrinkage. The formed cutting-edge structure can be utilized as a razor blade as it is formed with very sharp tip and edge suitable for cutting hair. The base structure can form one or more cutting-edge structures simultaneously.

A novel cutting-edge structure and method and apparatus for manufacturing the cutting-edge structure is provided. The cutting-edge structure is comprised of naturally derived or renewable material at greater than 50% by volume fraction. In one embodiment, the naturally derived material is a cellulose nanostructure such as a cellulose nanocrystal. The cellulose nanocrystal is processed using a base or mold structure to provide a cutting edge of any shape such as linear or circular edge structures. The process includes dual cure steps to produce an optimal cutting-edge structure without shrinkage. The formed cutting-edge structure can be utilized as a razor blade as it is formed with very sharp tip and edge suitable for cutting hair. The base structure can form one or more cutting-edge structures simultaneously.

A spray head for supplying at least one die of a forming machine with lubricating coolant, the forming machine including a lower die and an upper die, is preferably produced by rapid manufacturing and is designed as a single piece to a large extent. The use of rapid manufacturing allows the production of the most varied configurations, such as stabilizing honey-comb structures or drip points, which allow a more advantageous design of the spray head. The spray head carries at least one two-substance nozzle connected with at least one feed channel. The nozzle body of the nozzle and the channel wall of the feed channel are configured in one piece with one another or the channel wall of the feed channel and a spray head foot carrying a supply connector connected with the feed channel are configured in one piece with one another.

A novel cutting-edge structure and method and apparatus for manufacturing the cutting-edge structure is provided. The cutting-edge structure is comprised of naturally derived or renewable material at greater than 50% by volume fraction. In one embodiment, the naturally derived material is a cellulose nanostructure such as a cellulose nanocrystal. The cellulose nanocrystal is processed using a base or mold structure to provide a cutting edge of any shape such as linear or circular edge structures. The process includes dual cure steps to produce an optimal cutting-edge structure without shrinkage. The formed cutting-edge structure can be utilized as a razor blade as it is formed with very sharp tip and edge suitable for cutting hair. The base structure can form one or more cutting-edge structures simultaneously.

A novel cutting-edge structure and method and apparatus for manufacturing the cutting-edge structure is provided. The cutting-edge structure is comprised of naturally derived or renewable material at greater than 50% by volume fraction. In one embodiment, the naturally derived material is a cellulose nanostructure such as a cellulose nanocrystal. The cellulose nanocrystal is processed using a base or mold structure to provide a cutting edge of any shape such as linear or circular edge structures. The process includes dual cure steps to produce an optimal cutting-edge structure without shrinkage. The formed cutting-edge structure can be utilized as a razor blade as it is formed with very sharp tip and edge suitable for cutting hair. The base structure can form one or more cutting-edge structures simultaneously.

A novel cutting-edge structure and method and apparatus for manufacturing the cutting-edge structure is provided. The cutting-edge structure is comprised of naturally derived or renewable material at greater than 50% by volume fraction. In one embodiment, the naturally derived material is a cellulose nanostructure such as a cellulose nanocrystal. The cellulose nanocrystal is processed using a base or mold structure to provide a cutting edge of any shape such as linear or circular edge structures. The process includes dual cure steps to produce an optimal cutting-edge structure without shrinkage. The formed cutting-edge structure can be utilized as a razor blade as it is formed with very sharp tip and edge suitable for cutting hair. The base structure can form one or more cutting-edge structures simultaneously.

The present application relates to lubricant-infused molds such as omniphobic lubricant-infused molds and uses thereof, for example, in processes for fabricating molded objects such as microfluidics devices. Such processes can comprise coating a mold with a layer comprising a lubricant-tethering group to obtain a tether-coated mold, depositing a lubricant on the tether-coated mold to obtain a lubricant-infused mold (LIM), depositing a molded object precursor into the LIM and solidifying to obtain the molded object, and removing the molded object from the LIM.

The invention includes methods and apparatus for demolding a tread from a mold. In particular embodiments, such methods include a step of demolding a first end of a tread from a mold to form a demolded portion of the tread, the tread extending lengthwise from the first end to a second end. A further step includes folding the tread such that at least a portion of the demolded portion is arranged overtop a portion of the tread remaining within the mold. Yet a further step includes applying lubricant to the tread to thereby lubricate relative translation between folded portions of the tread. A further step includes demolding additional portions of the tread by sliding at least a portion of the demolded portion along the portion of the tread remaining in the mold with the lubricant arranged between the demolded portion and the portion of the tread remaining within the mold.

A method of forming a part from a blank includes positioning the blank within a forming die. Water is introduced between the blank and the forming die. The water is heated to form steam between the blank and the forming die. The blank is reshaped within the forming die to form the part while the steam is disposed between the blank and the forming die. The steam forms a cushion between the blank and the forming die to reduce friction therebetween. A lubricant is not applied to the blank prior to being positioned in the forming die. Therefore, the formed part does not require a washing step after being formed.