Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed methods for modifying molds of rotor blades of a wind turbine. In certain embodiments, the blade mold is constructed, at least in part, of a thermoplastic material optionally reinforced with a fiber material. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying at least one blade mold addition for the mold of the rotor blade and positioning the blade mold addition at a predetermined location of the mold of the rotor blade. Further, the blade mold addition is constructed, at least in part, of a thermoplastic material. Thus, the method includes applying at least one of heat, pressure, or one or more chemicals at an interface of the blade mold addition and the mold so as to join the blade mold addition to the mold. In further embodiments, the methods described herein are also directed repairing thermoplastic blade molds.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a method of investment casting using additive manufacturing. In one aspect, the method includes: creating a digital model of a building component using one or more software tools executed on a computer device and importing the digital model in an additive manufacturing apparatus; producing a first physical specimen by controlling the additive manufacturing apparatus in accordance with the digital model; creating a first negative mold using the first physical specimen as a template, the first negative mold having a hollow space substantially defined by a surface profile of the first physical specimen; producing a second physical specimen using the first negative mold; creating a second negative mold enclosing the second physical specimen therein; producing a casting piece using the second negative mold; and finishing the casting piece to produce the building component.
Abstract:
The present invention generally provides mold modules for constructing boat hulls, methods of constructing boat hulls using the mold modules, and hulls constructed using the mold modules. The modules may be adjustable, and may be included in a kit for building the hull of many boats of different dimensions but generally the same shape. Each mold module generally comprises a mold in a shape complementary to that of a portion of a boat hull, and an edge mold to form the edge of the hull part formed by that mold module. A mold module according to the present invention may also comprise one or more mold adjustment areas, and calibrators for selecting the boat hull dimensions. Methods for using the aforementioned mold modules generally comprise steps of molding hull parts, removing them from the mold modules, aligning them and finally attaching them together.
Abstract:
Described herein are casting and molding methods useful for making microstructured objects. By including a plurality of microfeatures on the surface of an object, other characteristics may be imparted to the object, such as increased hydrophobicity. Some of the casting and molding methods described herein further allow for manufacture of objects having both microfeatures and macro features, for example microfeatures on or within macro features or selected macro feature regions.
Abstract:
Hollow, cylindrical, seamless metal master for producing seamless diffuser sheets of preselected length and width. Additional aspects of the invention include a hollow cylindrical seamless invertible elastomeric master and method of making the same and an apparatus and process for effecting variable diffuser recording in photosensitive medium.
Abstract:
A process for fabricating a molding stamp mainly includes the steps of: (1) attaching a framework onto a substrate, the framework defining a number of through holes therein so that the framework and the substrate cooperatively define a number of molding cavities; (2) applying a UV curable resin in one of the molding cavities; (3) molding the UV curable resin in the one of the molding cavities using a printing stamp having a predetermined microlens pattern; (4) curing the UV curable resin to form a microlens unit; (5) removing the printing stamp; (6) repeating the steps (2) through (5) to form a number of microlens units on the substrate; (7) removing the framework from the substrate; (8) applying a thermosetting resin on the substrate to cover the microlens units; (9) curing the thermosetting resin to form the molding stamp; and (10) separating the molding stamp from the substrate.
Abstract:
Hollow, cylindrical, seamless metal master for producing seamless diffuser sheets of preselected length and width. Additional aspects of the invention include a hollow cylindrical seamless invertable elastomeric master and method of making the same and an apparatus and process for effecting variable diffuser recording in photosensitive medium.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a modeling paste comprising a latent material which can be applied as a thick layer to a substrate and which after activation rapidly crosslinks to a machinable surface.
Abstract:
A vacuum forming process and related apparatus are disclosed. The vacuum forming process and apparatus can be used for molding a thin sheet of thermoformable plastic into an accurate three-dimensional relief reproduction of an original artwork such that the plastic sheet carries a permanent image of the original work.
Abstract:
A microlens array and mold for making same in which the perimeter of each microlens is a modified polygon in that each edge of the lens approximates an elliptical arc, the ends of which terminate at the corners of the polygon, wherein the middle of the arc curves toward the center of each microlens. The microlenses are preferably rectangular or triangular.