A computer-implemented method for dividing a virtual three-dimensional overall model of a body into at least two virtual partial models, includes: Creating a virtual separating surface for the overall model of the body, which has a three-dimensional cell-conforming shape; Creating the overall model of the body with a lattice structure formed from a plurality of cells; and Dividing the overall model along the cell-conforming separating surface into two partial models, so that when the overall model is divided, common struts of the lattice structure, which are each part of at least one cell of one partial model and part of at least one adjacent cell of the other partial model are divided by means of the cell-conforming separating surface in such a way that the corresponding cells remain closed.

A method for producing a composite body from at least two partial bodies, at least one of the partial bodies being produced in an additive manufacturing process, includes exposing the at least two partial bodies to a solvent atmosphere, so that one surface of the partial body is smoothed. The at least two partial bodies are placed in the chamber in such a way that they touch at least one joining surface and that the solvent atmosphere creates a material connection between the at least two partial bodies on the at least one joining surface.

A joint member is formed of a composite including reinforcement fibers and resin. The joint member is configured to be joined with another joint member to form a joint structure capable of enduring a tensile load in a load direction in which the joint member and the other joint member are separated from each other at a joined portion of the joint structure in a longitudinal direction of the joint member. The joint member includes a main body part and a joint part connected with the main body part at an end part of the main body part in the longitudinal direction of the joint member. The joint part has an orientation pattern having anisotropy such that fiber directions of the reinforcement fibers included in the joint part include a fiber direction different from the longitudinal direction of the joint member.

A connection system has a first adhesion segment, on which a first connection region is formed, a second adhesion segment, on which a second connection region is formed, and a solidifiable liquid connection substance for connecting the two adhesion segments in a material fit, wherein at least one of the two connection regions is formed flexibly, such that, when the liquid connection substance is introduced between the two connection regions which are opposite one another in an assembly arrangement of the two adhesion segments, a material connection is formed between the two connection regions automatically as a result of the elastocapillary effect via the liquid connection substance.

An infrared welding machine has a heating device that heats and melts at least one of an end surface of a first member made of resin and an end surface of a second member made of resin, called a surface-to-be-heated, with infrared rays. The heating device includes: a lamp that is disposed so as to face the surface-to-be-heated without coming into contact with the surface-to-be-heated and has a circular shape in cross-section such that the lamp radiates infrared rays in all radially outward directions; an upper-side reflective member that reflects infrared rays radiated from the lamp toward the upper side of the surface-to-be-heated so as to direct the infrared rays toward the surface-to-be-heated; and a lower-side reflective member that reflects infrared rays radiated from the lamp toward the lower side of the surface-to-be-heated so as to direct the infrared rays toward the surface-to-be-heated.

A first structure made of a first polymer is joined to a second structure made of an incompatible second polymer by the steps of welding small bands of compatible tubing or material to the first structure to create raised structures or ribs, and mechanically linking the second structure with the ribs or raised structures at the desired attachment point. The mechanical linkage may be accomplished by using heat shrinking or mechanical compression (such as crimping) to force the incompatible second polymer around the ribs or raised structures or, in the case of raised structures formed as threads or nubs, by inter-engagement between the threads or nubs on the first structure and corresponding structures, such as internal threading, nub-receiving slots, or internal surfaces, of the second structure. The option of using the welded raised structures as threads or nubs for a threaded, bayonet, pin-and-slot, snap-fit, or similar connection enables the second structure to be removed from the first structure and replaced whenever the second structure becomes worn during use. The first structure may be an surgical laser fiber with an ETFE buffer layer, and the second structure is a protective structure may be made of PTFE, PET, FEP or PFA.

The invention includes a method of bonding a perfluoroelastomer material to first surface that includes: (a) contacting a first surface with a bonding agent comprising a curable perfluoropolymer and a curing agent; (b) curing the bonding agent to form a perfluoroelastomer material that is bonded to the first surface. In the practice of such method, the bonding agent may be a solution prepared by dissolving the curable perfluoroelastomer and the curing agent in a solvent. In an embodiment of the invention, the perfluoroelastomer material formed in step (b) is a coating layer or, alternatively, the first surface is a surface of a perfluoroelastomer member and the perfluoroelastomer material formed is a perfluoroelastomer weld.

An apparatus for processing an elongated structure includes a mold within which an uncross-linked rubber material is placed, at least one heating unit configured to heat the mold, and a pressure device configured to press the rubber material using the mold heated by the heating unit to promote shaping the rubber material by the mold while proceeding the cross-linking of the rubber material. The heating unit includes a central heating device configured to heat a longitudinal central portion of the mold, multiple cooling devices configured to cool two longitudinal end portions of the mold, multiple intermediate heating devices configured to heat two intermediate portions between the longitudinal central portion and the longitudinal end portions of the mold, heat shield plates disposed between the central heating device and the intermediate heating devices, and heat shield plates disposed between the cooling devices and the intermediate heating devices.

The invention includes a method of bonding a perfluoroelastomer material to first surface that includes: (a) contacting a first surface with a bonding agent comprising a curable perfluoropolymer and a curing agent; (b) curing the bonding agent to form a perfluoroelastomer material that is bonded to the first surface. In the practice of such method, the bonding agent may be a solution prepared by dissolving the curable perfluoroelastomer and the curing agent in a solvent. In an embodiment of the invention, the perfluoroelastomer material formed in step (b) is a coating layer or, alternatively, the first surface is a surface of a perfluoroelastomer member and the perfluoroelastomer material formed is a perfluoroelastomer weld.

A seal can include a body including a thermoplastic material and a filler material including a fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer can include a modified fluoropolymer. The body can include an elongation-at-break of at least 3%. In an embodiment, the seal can include a seal ring, wherein the body of the seal ring can include a weld.