A conformally metal-coated glass capillary array and method of fabricating same. A glass capillary array is provided. The glass capillary array includes a plurality of glass capillaries. The glass capillary array includes a plurality of glass capillary array walls. The plurality of glass capillary array walls define a plurality of holes. The plurality of holes includes a plurality of hole peripheries. An electroless metallization catalyst is provided around the plurality of hole peripheries. A first metal is electroless plated on the plurality of glass capillary array walls using the electroless metallization catalyst. A second metal is electroplated on the electroless-plated, first metal, or the second metal is electroless-plated on the electroless-plated, first metal.

A conformally metal-coated glass capillary array and method of fabricating same. A glass capillary array is provided. The glass capillary array includes a plurality of glass capillaries. The glass capillary array includes a plurality of glass capillary array walls. The plurality of glass capillary array walls define a plurality of holes. The plurality of holes includes a plurality of hole peripheries. An electroless metallization catalyst is provided around the plurality of hole peripheries. A first metal is electroless plated on the plurality of glass capillary array walls using the electroless metallization catalyst. A second metal is electroplated on the electroless-plated, first metal, or the second metal is electroless-plated on the electroless-plated, first metal.

Systems and methods for forming 3D plastic parts that are cost effective in low volume, have excellent fit and finish, and use many components from 2D construction are disclosed. The systems and methods involve selecting a design and modelling the design. The design comprises 2D and 3D components of plastic parts. A 3D forming buck corresponding to the 3D component is manufactured. At least one of a 2D part and the 3D forming buck may be heated. The 2D part may be loaded onto the 3D forming buck for a predefined period of time. The 3D part formed after the loading may be separated from the 3D forming buck. The 3D part is the 2D part generally having taken the shape of the 3D forming buck. The 3D part may be cooled to obtain an end product.

Systems and methods for forming 3D plastic parts that are cost effective in low volume, have excellent fit and finish, and use many components from 2D construction are disclosed. The systems and methods involve selecting a design and modelling the design. The design comprises 2D and 3D components of plastic parts. A 3D forming buck corresponding to the 3D component is manufactured. At least one of a 2D part and the 3D forming buck may be heated. The 2D part may be loaded onto the 3D forming buck for a predefined period of time. The 3D part formed after the loading may be separated from the 3D forming buck. The 3D part is the 2D part generally having taken the shape of the 3D forming buck. The 3D part may be cooled to obtain an end product.

The present invention relates to an optical fiber draw tower and a processing/drawing method thereof. The draw tower (100) comprises a top end zone (108) and a bottom end zone (110), a preform (104) inserted at the top end zone and is melted into an optical fiber (106) that exits from the bottom end zone(110). In particular, the fluid is inserted into the draw tower from the top end zone. Moreover, the draw tower further includes a plurality of air knives (112) distorting optical fiber path such that partially uncooled optical fiber deviates from a vertical path and follows a bended path. Further, the bended path length is greater than a vertical path length and is defined by laminar flow for at least 70% of the bended path length.

The present invention relates to an optical fiber draw tower and a processing/drawing method thereof. The draw tower (100) comprises a top end zone (108) and a bottom end zone (110), a preform (104) inserted at the top end zone and is melted into an optical fiber (106) that exits from the bottom end zone(110). In particular, the fluid is inserted into the draw tower from the top end zone. Moreover, the draw tower further includes a plurality of air knives (112) distorting optical fiber path such that partially uncooled optical fiber deviates from a vertical path and follows a bended path. Further, the bended path length is greater than a vertical path length and is defined by laminar flow for at least 70% of the bended path length.

The invention relates to a method and facility for manufacturing a fiberglass material, in which melted glass is produced in a melting furnace heated via combustion of a fuel with an oxygen-rich oxidant. The fumes generated are used to preheat a combustion reagent in two steps: a first step in which air is heated via heat exchange with the fumes, and a second step in which the combustion reagent is preheated via heat exchange with the hot air. The air is then used in the method for converting the melted glass into a fiberglass material.

The invention relates to a method and facility for manufacturing a fiberglass material, in which melted glass is produced in a melting furnace heated via combustion of a fuel with an oxygen-rich oxidant. The fumes generated are used to preheat a combustion reagent in two steps: a first step in which air is heated via heat exchange with the fumes, and a second step in which the combustion reagent is preheated via heat exchange with the hot air. The air is then used in the method for converting the melted glass into a fiberglass material.

A glass cane is manufactured by filling a glass tube with a combination of glass structures forming a cross-sectional pattern within the glass tube, to form a preform. The preform is attached to a draw assembly, such as a draw tower. The draw assembly is operated to draw the preform to a reduced-diameter glass cane by passing the preform through a furnace of the draw assembly while pulling the preform or the reduced-diameter glass cane and rotating the preform or the reduced-diameter glass cane.

A glass cane is manufactured by filling a glass tube with a combination of glass structures forming a cross-sectional pattern within the glass tube, to form a preform. The preform is attached to a draw assembly, such as a draw tower. The draw assembly is operated to draw the preform to a reduced-diameter glass cane by passing the preform through a furnace of the draw assembly while pulling the preform or the reduced-diameter glass cane and rotating the preform or the reduced-diameter glass cane.