A method for manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor includes providing an extruder that includes a cylindrical die, a mandrel arranged inside the die and having plural helical grooves on an outer circumferential surface, and an annular outlet sandwiched between the die and the mandrel, and by using the extruder, performing simultaneous extrusion-molding of an elastic insulating material and an elastic conductive material by supplying the elastic conductive material into not less than two of the grooves from the inside of the mandrel while extruding the elastic insulating material, so as to form a pressure-sensitive sensor. The sensor includes a tubular body including an elastic insulation and having a hollow portion along a longitudinal direction, and not less than two conductive ribs including an elastic conductor and helically provided along an inner circumferential surface of the hollow portion of the tubular body so as to protrude inward from the inner circumferential surface.

A filament is fed to an extrusion head. The filament has a semi-crystalline polymeric reinforcement portion and a polymeric matrix portion. The reinforcement and matrix portions run continuously along a length of the filament. The reinforcement portion has a higher melting point and a higher crystallinity than the matrix portion. The temperature of the filament is raised in the extrusion head above the melting point of the matrix portion but below the melting point of the reinforcement portion so that the matrix portion of the filament melts within the extrusion head, thereby forming a partially molten filament within the extrusion head. The partially molten filament is extruded from the extrusion head onto a substrate, the reinforcement portion of the partially molten filament remaining in a semi-crystalline state as it is extruded from the extrusion head. Relative movement is generated between the extrusion head and the substrate as the partially molten filament is extruded onto the substrate in order to form an extruded line on the substrate. The matrix portion of the extruded line solidifies after the extruded line has been formed on the substrate.

The invention relates to a polymer composition comprising a polyethylene and a crosslinking agent, characterized in that the polymer composition contains a total amount of vinyl groups which is B vinyl groups per 1000 carbon atoms, and B.sub.1≤B, wherein B.sub.1 is 0.88, when measured prior to crosslinking according to method ASTM D6248-98; and in that the crosslinking agent is present in an amount which is Z wt %, based on the total amount (100 wt %) of the polymer composition, and Z≤Z.sub.2, wherein Z.sub.2 is 0.30, an article being e.g. a cable, e.g. a power cable, and processes for producing a polymer composition and an article; useful in different end applications, such as wire and cable (W&C) applications.

A hand-held three-dimensional drawing device can include an anti-rotation mechanism that can restrict rotation of a filament moving through the device. The anti-rotation mechanism can have a filament-engaging component in a passage of the anti-rotation mechanism and positioned to engage and restrict rotation a filament extending through the passage. The drawing device can also include a moveable member to control an operation of the drawing device. The moveable member can include a rotatable control mechanism including a portion of an outer profile of a housing of the device. Finally, the drawing device can also include a cover member comprising a portion of an outer profile of housing of the device and positioned adjacent to an actuator to control an operation of the device.

Various methods and systems are provided for mixing and dispensing viscous materials for the creation of additive structures. As one example, during a mixing and dispensing operation of a multi-dimensional printing apparatus, one or more liquids may flow into a mixing chamber via one or more material inlets arranged in a wall of the mixing chamber below a high pressure bearing of a mixing rod positioned within the mixing chamber; and movement of a mixing rod positioned within the mixing chamber is adjusted based on an operating condition of the printing apparatus.

Provided are methods and systems for dispensing filament adhesive onto a target substrate. A filament adhesive is applied on a target substrate according to a bead application plan, then the applied bead is checked against performance criteria. A second bead application plan is generated, and subsequent filament bead applied according to the second bead application plan.

A polymer body includes a first thermoplastic polymer, and a second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer form a continuous solid structure. The first thermoplastic polymer forms an external supporting structure that at least partially envelops the second thermoplastic polymer. A first flow temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer is at least 10° C. higher than a second flow temperature of the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer may be removable by exposure to a selective solvent.

A method for producing bone grafts using 3-D printing is employed using a 3-D image of a graft location to produce a 3-D model of the graft. This is printed using a 3-D printer and a printing medium that produces a porous, biocompatible, biodegradable material that is conducive to osteoinduction. For example, the printing medium may be PCL, PLLA, PGLA, or another approved biocompatible polymer. In addition such a method may be useful for cosmetic surgeries, reconstructive surgeries, and various techniques required by such procedures. Once the graft is placed, natural bone gradually replaces the graft.

A method for fabrication of a 3D printed part with high through-plane thermal conductivity is provided, where pure polymer particles and a carbon-based filler for heat conduction are subjected to milling and mixing in the mechanochemical reactor disclosed in Chinese patent ZL 95111258.9 under the controlled milling conditions including milling pan surface temperature, milling pan pressure, and number of milling cycles; then a resulting mixture is extruded to obtain 3D printing filaments; and finally, the 3D printing filaments are used to fabricate the 3D printed part with high through-plane thermal conductivity through fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. The fabrication method can realize the fabrication of a 3D printed part with high through-plane thermal conductivity through the FDM 3D printing technology, features simple process, continuous production, etc., and is suitable for the industrial production of thermally-conductive parts with complex structures.

It is provided an extruder for a system for the additive manufacture of freely formable metal parts with or without a supporting structure by means of an extrusion method from a composite material, which is arranged on a three-dimensionally movable kinematic mechanism, with a building platform. The extruder consists of a housing and a screw arranged in the housing. The extruder is provided with a mechanical drive for the composite material to be extruded, with an exchangeable nozzle, arranged on the housing, and the housing is connected to the mechanical drive by way of suitable means for transporting the composite material.