Systems, dies, and methods are provided for processing pericardial tissue. The method includes positioning a die-cut assembly over the pericardial tissue, the die-cut assembly including a die having a plate, a die pattern, and an opening, the die pattern attached to the plate, the opening formed in the plate to provide access to the pericardial tissue, and measuring a thickness of the tissue through the opening. The die-cut assembly may be mounted for automated vertical movement, and a platen on which the tissue is placed is capable of automated horizontal movement. Different target areas on the tissue can be assessed by measuring the thickness through the die, and when an area is deemed suitable the die pattern cuts a shape therefrom. The system is useful for cutting uniform thickness heart valve leaflets, and can be automated to speed up the process.

A parting device and a parting method are provided, in particular for trimming workpieces (2), in particular solar modules. The parting device has a multi-member (12, 13, 14, 15) programmable robot (6) which is in the form of a tactile robot, in particular a force/torque-regulated robot. The robot guides a parting tool (8) which is in the form of a knife.

A system, a method and a collapsible and/or folding apparatus may use a wire loop to cut an object. The apparatus may have a wire loop connected to pulleys on a carriage attached to a frame. The carriage may move relative to the frame to direct the wire loop through the object. The apparatus may have arms on the carriage that may be folded and/or a kicker frame pivotably connected to the frame that may be retracted to reduce the overall size of the apparatus.

A cutting device for cutting an optical fiber running in a first direction includes a supporting piece having a free end and a fixed end and having resilience, a cutting blade supported by the supporting piece that comes into contact with the optical fiber to make a right angle with the optical fiber at a point of the contact, and a driving device. The driving device is configured to press the supporting piece in a second direction in a plane perpendicular to the first direction, with the second direction not intersecting with the first direction.

A rapid exchange catheter comprises a guide wire lumen including a substantially sealed portion in which a lumen wall extends around an entire periphery thereof and a channel portion including a channel opening the lumen to an exterior of the catheter, wherein a width of the channel is less than a maximum width of the channel portion. A guide wire ramp extends into the channel portion, with the ramp extending further into the lumen of the channel portion as a distal end of the ramp is approached.

Systems, dies, and methods are provided for processing pericardial tissue. The method includes positioning a die-cut assembly over the pericardial tissue, the die-cut assembly including a die having a plate, a die pattern, and an opening, the die pattern attached to the plate, the opening formed in the plate to provide access to the pericardial tissue, and measuring a thickness of the tissue through the opening. The die-cut assembly may be mounted for automated vertical movement, and a platen on which the tissue is placed is capable of automated horizontal movement. Different target areas on the tissue can be assessed by measuring the thickness through the die, and when an area is deemed suitable the die pattern cuts a shape therefrom. The system is useful for cutting uniform thickness heart valve leaflets, and can be automated to speed up the process.

A process for debundling a carbon fiber tow into dispersed chopped carbon fibers suitable for usage in molding composition formulations is provided. A carbon fiber tow is fed into a die having fluid flow openings, through which a fluid impinges upon the side of the tow to expand the tow cross sectional area. The expanded cross sectional area tow extends from the die into the path of a conventional fiber chopping apparatus to form chopped carbon fibers, or through contacting tines of a mechanical debundler. Through adjustment of the relative position of fluid flow openings relative to a die bore through which fiber tow passes, the nature of the fluid impinging on the tow, the shape of the bore, in combinations thereof, an improved chopped carbon fiber dispersion is achieved. The chopped carbon fiber obtained is then available to be dispersed in molding composition formulations prior to formulation cure.

A method and system for using image analysis to generate an automobile surface protecting device attached with an adhesive are provided. The method includes generating from a scanned three-dimensional image, using one or more image analysis applications, a protective film template for a vehicle panel based on the dimensions of the vehicle panel, a determined transition point, a determined termination point, and a plurality of relief cuts. Generating the protective film template includes converting a three-dimensional protective film template into a two-dimensional protective film template by flattening the protective film template. The method includes transferring the protective film template to the sheet of protective film. The sheet of protective film includes an adhesive and is used to modify an appearance of the vehicle panel by modifying how light reflects off scratches on the vehicle panel.

Systems, dies, and methods are provided for processing pericardial tissue. The method includes positioning a die-cut assembly over the pericardial tissue, the die-cut assembly including a die having a plate, a die pattern, and an opening, the die pattern attached to the plate, the opening formed in the plate to provide access to the pericardial tissue, and measuring a thickness of the tissue through the opening. The die-cut assembly may be mounted for automated vertical movement, and a platen on which the tissue is placed is capable of automated horizontal movement. Different target areas on the tissue can be assessed by measuring the thickness through the die, and when an area is deemed suitable the die pattern cuts a shape therefrom. The system is useful for cutting uniform thickness heart valve leaflets, and can be automated to speed up the process.

A method of cutting a wafer of composite core from a bulk composite core including the steps of placing the bulk composite core in a container, the bulk composite core having a plurality of tube members; depositing a potting compound in contact with an outer surface of the bulk composite core; curing the potting compound; and after curing of the potting compound, cutting through each of the tube members. A method of cutting a wafer of composite core from a bulk composite core, the method comprising the steps of stabilizing the bulk composite core by wrapping an exterior of the bulk composite core with a composite wrap, the bulk composite core having a plurality of tube members; curing the composite wrap; and cutting through each of the tube members.