Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing functional objects (15, 10) that have a high-grade surface. The invention also relates to a functional object that is produced according to said method. The aim of the invention is to simplify the production method, whereby the surface of the objects should be finished in a cost-effective manner while still obtaining a high-quality effect for e.g. an advertising medium or an object of art. To begin with, the functional object has, at least in areas, at least one glazed or milky dull surface (13) that serves as a characteristic surface. This characteristic surface (13) is, essentially throughout or in an all-over manner, of the same character inside the area (15a, 20b), in which a decoration or marking (25, 20) should ensue. The decoration or marking (20, 25; 20a) is made by applying a fluid to the characteristic surface (13) in order to smoothen the surface into the shape or form (20a) of the decoration or marking.
Abstract:
A ceramic thermal barrier coating (46) having a plurality of segmentation gaps (44) formed in its top surface (56) to provide thermal strain relief. The surface width of the gaps may be limited to minimize the aerodynamic impact of the gaps. The gaps may be formed as continuous grooves (68) extending along a flow path of a fluid stream traveling over the thermal barrier coating. Such grooves may be used in the fluid stream without removing the ridge (60) created by splashing of molten material onto the surface of the coating during a laser engraving process used to form the grooves, since the fluid stream is flowing parallel to the ridge. Preferred failure planes (A1, A2, A3) may be formed through the thickness of the coating in order to stimulate the generation of a fresh surface when a portion of the coating fails by spalling. The bottom geometry of the gaps may be formed to have a generally U-shape in order to minimize stress concentration. The gaps serve to reduce the crack driving force along the interface between the thermal barrier coating and an underlying bond coating.
Abstract:
A fiber velvet comprising nano-size fibers or nanofibrils attached to micro-size fibers is disclosed. Methods of manufacturing the velvet as well as various uses of the velvet are also described. For example, the fiber velvet can be used as a thermal interface or as an adhesive material. The nanofibrils may be attached to a flat base or membrane, or may be attached to the tip portions of the micro-size or larger diameter fibers. Various attributes of the micro-size fibers and of the nano-size fibers, for example, geometry (e.g. size, length, packing density) material type (e.g. carbon, metal, polymer, or ceramic) and properties (e.g. conductivity, modulus, surface energy, dielectric constant, surface roughness) can be selected depending on the desired attributes of the fiber velvet. The nanofibrils have a diameter of less than about 1 micron, and may advantageously be formed from single walled and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
Abstract:
A method for forming a document includes the steps of (1) selecting a marking medium that has a pre-determined machine-readable characteristic, and (2) selecting a document substrate that is compatible with the pre-determined machine-readable characteristic of the selected marking medium. An information symbol is secured to the selected document substrate. A security layer which includes the selected marking medium is also affixed to the document substrate so that the security layer is in at least partial register with the information symbol. The method can further include the step of affixing a blocking layer to the document substrate in at least partial register with the information symbol. The blocking layer can be affixed to the document substrate so that blocking layer is intermediate the information symbol and the security layer or so that the security layer is intermediate the information symbol and the blocking layer. Inks that can be printed with conventional printing methods, such as intaglio printing, screen printing, relief printing, planographic printing, letterpress printing, and flexographic printing, are especially useful as any of the selected marking media. The ink used is chosen for a particular machine-readable characteristic such as dry-state conductance, fluorescence, optical density, reflectance, and scattering. For example, an ink which has a known, measurable conductance in a dry-state can be used to print conductive layers on the document which serve as security layers.
Abstract:
A pattern formation method for discharging a prescribed fluid onto a substrate form an ink-jet head and forming an arbitrary pattern. The method including the steps of discharging the fluid onto the substrate from an ink jet head and defining a pattern-forming region by subjecting the substrate to a specific treatment to prevent the fluid from spreading. The pattern forming region is formed after the fluid has been ejected so that the arbitrary pattern is formed in the fluid corresponding to the pattern-forming region. The treatment is one in which banks for preventing the fluid from flowing out are formed around the pattern-forming region. The method also includes removing the banks following the formation of the pattern.
Abstract:
A resin coated carrier fabrication method and the related apparatus in which a metered material feeder is controlled to apply a bonding agent to the periphery of a continuously rotated material-transferring cylinder subject to a predetermined thickness and simultaneously a tape of carrier is extended over an impression cylinder, and then a driving mechanism is controlled to adjust the gap between the material-transferring cylinder and the impression cylinder for enabling the bonding agent to be transferred to the tape of carrier, leaving a blank area around the applied layer of bonding agent on the tape of carrier.
Abstract:
A liquid transfer device transferring liquid for enhancing durability of an image on a surface of a printed product printed with ink has a liquid transfer member having a transfer surface contacting the surface of the printed product and transferring the liquid thereto. The liquid transfer member includes a liquid accumulating portion, formed from a sheet form member, accumulating the liquid and a restricting portion supplying the liquid to the transfer surface with restriction. The device further includes a holding member receiving and holding the liquid transfer member. The holding member includes a surface supporting frame formed with an opening exposing a porous film, and a dish shaped receptacle member having a flange mating with a lower surface of the surface supporting frame. The liquid transfer member is housed within a receptacle space defined by the receptacle member and the surface supporting frame.
Abstract:
A workstation for sealing the spar of an aircraft. A robotic arm can be positioned on a platform with a sealant application system. The platform can be moved along a path adjacent the spar to move the robotic arm. The robotic arm can move the applicator of a sealant applying system to a portion of a spar that is to be sealed. The sealant system can be positioned on the platform to be moveable along the path. The robotic arm can be moveable relative to the platform. The path can be positioned overhead of the spar. The spar can be rotated by a rotating fixture so that the platform can be moved in opposite directions relative to the path. A controller can control the movement of the platform along the path, movement of the robotic arm relative to the platform, movement of the applicator by the robotic arm, and the application of sealant by the sealant applying system.
Abstract:
A ceramic foam consisting of two layers in and out, in which a highly pure ceramic shell covers up the surface layer of the fly ash, is provided along with a process for producing such a ceramic foam. The process for producing a ceramic foam 10 includes the steps of: coating the surface of raw fly ash material containing impurities 12 with alumina slurry; granulating the coated fly ash; and sintering the granulated fly ash in a manner that the granulated fly ash is heated in a furnace with raising temperature, then kept at a predetermined temperature for several hours and then, slowly cooled down to room temperature. The impurities are sealed inside the fly ash 11 not to transfer to the outside so that the surface of the fly ash is covered up with a ceramic shell 13 to form the ceramic foam 10 having two layers in and out.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for creating a faux finish on a paintable surface. The apparatus includes a polyvinyl alcohol block having first and second ends, and a longitudinal body extending between the first and second ends. The body also includes at least one planar painting surface and a beveled surface located adjacent the first end of the body. The method includes the steps of applying paint to a work surface, contacting a polyvinyl alcohol painting apparatus against the work surface, manipulating the paint on the work surface with the polyvinyl alcohol block, and creating a decorative painting effect.