Abstract: A method of forming a post bonded loop laminate material includes providing a first layer of material comprising a nonwoven web of loop material having fibers and applying a force to the nonwoven web of loop material to generally orient the fibers in the direction of the applied force. The first layer of material is laminated to a second layer of material while applying the force to the nonwoven web of loop material to form a nonwoven loop laminate material. The first layer of material is bonded to the second layer of material after forming the nonwoven loop laminate material to form a post bonded loop laminate material.

Abstract: A method for creating a vacuum setup for processing a semi-finished fiber composite into a cured fiber composite component is provided. The semi-finished fiber composite is positioned on a molding surface of a tool so that a non-planar surface of the semi-finished fiber composite faces away from the molding surface, covering the non-planar surface of the semi-finished fiber composite by applying an air-tight film and sealing the film with respect to the molding surface of the tool. Application of the film is performed using a plunger formed from a flexible material and having a plunger surface on which the film is retained.

Abstract: A method of attaching a composite member to a structure. The method including forming a laminate of fabric impregnated with resin; applying heat at a first temperature to the impregnated laminate; applying vacuum at a first pressure to the impregnated laminate to degas the resin and form a degassed, impregnated laminate; positioning the degassed, impregnated laminate on a structure; and curing the degassed, impregnated laminate on the substrate by applying heat at a second temperature and by applying vacuum at a second pressure.

Abstract: Thermoplastic composite parts having integrated metal fittings are manufactured using a continuous compression molding process. Automated equipment or hand lay-up are used to collate composite material plies and metal fittings into a multi-layer stack. Each stack contains all plies, including ply build-up areas, tacked in the proper location to maintain orientation and location. Multiple lay-ups may be cut from each stack. The lay-ups are placed in tooling containing part features and are continuously fed through a performing station where the lay-ups are preformed into the approximate shape of the finished part. Following pre-forming, the tooling is moved incrementally through a consolidation station where a compression press presses successive sections of the tooling to form a single integrated thermoplastic composite laminate part having integrated metal fittings, which may include areas of differing thickness.

Abstract: There is described a method for at least partially covering selected surfaces of a non-porous substrate with a flexible veneer, the method comprising the steps of maintaining a humid environment during the covering of said substrate with the veneer, applying a preheated adhesive to one or both of the substrate and the veneer, progressively shaping the veneer to the selected surfaces of the substrate through the application of pressure biasing the veneer against the selected surfaces and curing the assembly of the veneer and the substrate.

Abstract: A fuel cell component integrates an attachment member 5 and a gasket 1 by using an adhesive 3. Both side portions of the gasket in the width direction of the gasket are provided with adhesive application regions W1 where the adhesive 3 is interposed, and a center portion in the width direction of the gasket is provided with an adhesive non-application region W2 where the adhesive 3 is not interposed so as to ensure an attachability.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a composite part contoured along its length and having at least one leg. The method includes forming a stack of fiber reinforced, pre-preg plies by laying down individual segments of unidirectional fibers in each ply. Each of the segments is placed in a preselected orientation related to the contour of the part. The leg is formed by bending a portion of the stack over a tool.

Abstract: A method having the following steps: feeding a plastic material in the area of an inner surface of the mold, conforming the material to the inner surface of the mold, feeding a tubular film into the mold so that the material is positioned between an outer surface of the tubular film and the mold, expanding the tubular film using pressure and/or a vacuum, applying a pressure above atmospheric pressure and/or heating the mold so that the material is partly or completely melted and is adapted to conform to an inner contour of the mold and an outer contour of the expanded tubular film. The tubular film is shaped before it is fed into the mold. The invention further relates to a tubular film (1) and a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A method for laminating essentially plate-shaped work pieces with a thermally activated adhesive layer, particularly photovoltaic modules. Work pieces are inserted into a vacuum chamber having a compression element dividing the vacuum chamber in a gas tight fashion that can be raised and lowered by pressure differences. The compression element presses against the work piece which in turn presses against a heating plate which forms a lower side of the vacuum chamber, with processing heat being transferred into the work piece to soften the adhesive. The work piece is first impinged by the compression element with a slight load from approx. 2% to 10% of the defined processing load, and is simultaneously kept below the adhesive activation temperature. Thereafter, the slight load is lifted off the work piece and the work piece is heated to the activation temperature and impinged via the compression element with the processing load.

Abstract: Protective laminate films protect an underlying windshield from damage due to impacting rocks and other debris. The protective laminate films generally include a flexible polymer substrate having a scratch resistant coating and an adhesive layer on opposing surfaces thereof. Each layer is transparent such that, when applied to a windshield, the laminate film does not inhibit visibility. Each layer may also be flexible so that the laminate films can be molded to a curved windshield. Generally, the scratch resistant coating protects the laminate films from scratching or other damage from impacting debris and/or from windshield wipers. The substrate provides structural integrity to the laminate films and may provide some degree of impact dispersion. The adhesive layer, in addition to adhering the laminate films to the windshield, may also provide significant impact resistance that helps protect the windshield from cracks or chips due to impacting rocks or other debris.

Abstract: The bonding apparatus is capable of effectively increasing temperature of a substrate and reducing occurrence of position gaps and poor connection in a process of flip-chip-bonding semiconductor devices to the substrate. The bonding apparatus comprises: a supporting unit for supporting the substrate, on which the semiconductor devices have been adhered by a non-conductive; and a heating/pressing unit for heating and pressing the substrate, the heating/pressing unit having a built-in heat source and a clamping face, onto which the substrate supported by the supporting unit is pressed. The substrate supported by the supporting unit is moved toward the clamping face of the heating/pressing unit so as to preheat the substrate and the semiconductor devices by radiation heat. Then, the semiconductor devices are pressed onto the clamping face of the heating/pressing unit so as to cure the non-conductive adhesive and bond bumps of the semiconductor devices to terminal sections of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of molding a wind turbine blade in a mold is provided. The method includes applying a film to an inside surface of a mold, assembling component layers for the wind turbine blade on the film, performing curing to harden the component layers, and subsequently removing the cured wind turbine blade from the mold. Also provided is a film suitable for use in a wind turbine blade molding process and a mold suitable for molding a wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A container labelling method consisting of predisposing means for supporting at least one container in an erect position; from below, mounting onto the body of said at least one container a heat-shrinkable label in the form of an annular band; and causing the label to adhere to said container. The method is implemented by a plant comprising a device for supporting and transporting at least one container which acts from above on the container suspended in an erect position; means for mounting a heat-shrinkable annular band onto the container from below; and means for causing said label to adhere to said container by heat-shrinkage.

Abstract: In one aspect, a vacuum drum assembly for use with a labeling apparatus includes apertures for supporting labels on an outer surface using vacuum pressure. The vacuum drum assembly may include air distributors for providing vacuum pressure to selected apertures to accommodate various lengths or widths of labels. The vacuum drum assembly may also be adjustable to vary the spacing between apertures to accommodate various lengths of labels.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a thru-hole through a composite structure having a plurality of internal compartments. An insert ring is connected to the composite structure to create a protective layer around the periphery of a penetration formed within the composite structure. An adhesive is disposed between the composite structure and the insert ring to create a fluid-tight seal between the insert ring and the internal compartments. In this regard, the fluid-tight seal mitigates fluid flow between the internal compartments.

Abstract: A room temperature bonding machine is provided with an evacuation apparatus, a gas supply apparatus, a pressure gauge, a cleaner apparatus, a pressure controller and a pressing mechanism. The evacuation apparatus evacuates gas from the chamber. The gas supply apparatus supplies introduction gas into the chamber. The pressure gauge measures the pressure in the chamber. The cleaner apparatus cleans first and second substrates in the chamber when said pressure is at a predetermined degree of vacuum. The pressure controller controls both of the evacuation apparatus and the gas supply apparatus so that the pressure is regulated to a target pressure. The pressing mechanism presses and bonds the first and second substrates when the pressure is set to said target pressure.

Abstract: A reusable vacuum bag for processing parts is made by encapsulating a generally rigid frame within a flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: An in-situ double vacuum debulk (DVD) composite repair system designed to produce partially or fully cured autoclave-quality hot-bond composite repairs on contoured structures. The system provides vacuum pressure for hot bond repairs to be performed on flat and contoured structures using one set-up capable of debulking (partially curing) and then fully curing composite repairs on composite and metallic aircraft structures. The use of in-situ DVD also eliminates handling of the patch/adhesive when transferring from an off-aircraft DVD chamber to the repair site on the aircraft. This can increase the probability of successful repairs because the possibility of contaminating and misaligning the adhesive and repair patch are eliminated.

Abstract: A spacer applicator assembly includes tooling having a plurality of spacer retention devices. Each of the spacer retention devices is movable in a first direction. An actuator is coupled to the spacer applicator tooling. The actuator is adapted to rotate the spacer applicator tooling about an axis. The spacer applicator tooling is adapted to move in a direction that is generally parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing “T” shaped stringers for an aircraft whereby the “T” shaped stringers have a stringer web and a stringer foot, the method comprising: a first step of hot-forming a carbon fiber laminate in order to achieve semi-stringers with an “L” shaped cross-section, a second step of placing together two hot-formed “L” shaped semi-stringers in order to form a “T” shaped stringer, a third step of co-bonding the resulting “T” shaped stringer on a cured skin with an adhesive line between them, and a fourth step of curing the obtained “T” shaped stringer inside a vacuum bag using invar alloy angles as curing tools. The invar alloy angles are cut at a radius area eliminating a part of the invar alloy angles covering the stringer foot in order to define an invar alloy piece having no foot.