This paper presents geometric algorithms for developing a re-configurable tooling system for fabrication of freeform objects. The proposed method involves a mold block, with n faces, in which the mold cavity is formed by moving a set of discrete pins on each face of the block. The part surfaces are approximated in the mold cavity using the pins from the suitable mold block faces. The geometric ...

One of the most fundamental decisions when designing a mold for the plastics thermoforming process is whether to use a plug (male) mold or a cavity (female) mold design. This critical decision is often brushed over in the literature yet has the greatest single impact on part wall thickness and wall thickness variation. Other considerations when deciding on this fundamental design concept includ...

In continuous casting of steel, the interfacial gap between the mold and the solidifying shell controls heat transfer in the process and is responsible for lubrication and the prevention of cracks and other defects. Mold slag forms when mold powder added to the top surface of the steel melts, and is the best current practice to perform these important functions. The properties and behavior of t...

A simple, yet innovative, method is presented for fabricating high-aspect-ratio polymer nanohairs (aspect ratio >20) on a solid substrate by sequential application of molding and drawing of a thin polymer film. The polymer film was prepared by spin coating on a rigid or flexible substrate, and the temperature was raised above the polymer's glass transition while in conformal contact with a poly...

The severe adhesion between silicon and glass has limited its application as mold material in precision glass molding. In this paper, a novel coating approach to create non-stick silicon mold for glass molding was introduced by using carbide-bonded graphene, a two dimensional material with a patterned atomic structure. A graphene coated silicon mold was fabricated using a coating process develo...

Indoor mold growth has recently become a concern in the legal world in regards to insurance litigation. Hazardous mold exposure to humans has been linked to many acute and chronic adverse health effects including death. As it grows, mold produces several types of primary and secondary metabolites, including microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). Microbial volatile organic compound emissi...

New products must be more quickly and cheaply developed, manufactured and introduced to the market due to the pressure of global competition. This work demonstrates a technique for producing accurate wax patterns made from a high precision silicone rubber mold. Silicone rubber mold is cut into five components, which is the minimum number of components for assembling the silicone rubber mold. Th...

1. A powerful kinase which changes trypsinogen to trypsin was found to be present in the synthetic liquid culture medium of a mold of the genus Penicillium. 2. The concentration of kinase in the medium is increased gradually during the growth of the mold organism and continues to increase for some time even after the mold has ceased growing. 3. Mold kinase transforms trypsinogen to trypsin only...

Rui Liu (top row, left) research assistant; Brian G. Thomas (top row, right), C.J. Gauthier Professor of Mechanical Engineering (bgthomas@illinois. edu), Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, Urbana, Ill., USA; Love Kalra (bottom row, left), senior engineer (love.kalra@ arcelormittal.com), ArcelorMittal No. 3 Steel Producing, East Chicago, ...

Background: Butter is one of the oldest dairy products known in the world and plays an important role in human nutrition. The aim of this study was evaluating of the microbial quality of traditional   and industrial butter marketed in Zanjan. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 29 samples of butter were investigated in 2 groups which 24 samples were of trad...