Abstract: A system for advancement of a consumable in the form of a continuous sheet in a machine for manufacturing containers having a first pulling group of the sheet actuated by a first motor at the end of the manufacturing zone, a second pulling group of the sheet actuated by a second motor at the end of the manufacturing zone, a support and deviation element of the sheet after the second pulling group equipped with a load cell for estimating the tension, and a processor programmed to direct the individual actuation of the first and second motors, such that the pulling groups promote the advancement of longitudinal portions of sheet sufficiently different to correct deviations in the tension of the sheet with respect to a pre-established target tension. A method for intermittent advancement of the sheet having a correction phase of the tension wherein only the second motor is actuated.

Abstract: A method of removing a vacuum bag from a composite mold. Removable strips are placed around the perimeter of the component parts and across the parts to create natural break points in the consumable materials used during manufacture of a composite product, e.g. wind turbine blade. The vacuum bag, and other consumable layers, are placed over the removable strip such that when the strips are pulled, the strip tears, in a controlled and complete manner, through each layer of consumables. This eliminates the need to use a knife/scissor to remove the finished product, thereby avoiding risk of injury.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin molded article capable of distributing the pressure without concentration on the vicinity of the resin inlet and so preventing the deformation of a preform, and such a manufacturing device thereof. The method lowers a lower core as a moving core in a lower mold (first mold) (away from a preform) to let resin flow toward the lower mold (first mold). This distributes the pressure concentrated in the vicinity of the resin inlet and prevents deformation of the preform.

Abstract: The embodiment provides a heat-sealing apparatus and a method of accurately controlling heat sealing temperature by measuring the temperature using a heat-sealing apparatus which heat-seals a pair of heat seal materials by nipping them between a pair of heating bodies. The method of heat-sealing includes mounting a cover material on the surface of at least one of the heating bodies to be in contact with the heat seal material, attaching a minute temperature sensor to the surface of the cover material on the side to be in contact with the heat seal material, and controlling temperature of welding face by the temperature detected by the minute temperature sensor, and an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A method for use in ply compaction in forming a composite structure. The method includes positioning a ply of material on a forming tool having a web surface and at least one flange surface extending from the web surface, positioning a chassis at a first location along a length dimension of the forming tool, selectively rotating a flange forming device, that is coupled to the chassis, about a yaw axis based on a relative orientation of the flange forming device to the at least one flange surface, applying, with the flange forming device, the ply of material onto the forming tool, moving the chassis relative to the forming tool to position the chassis at a second location along the length dimension of the forming tool, and repeating the selective rotation and the application steps at the second location.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to using an additive (material deposition) process to incrementally form a closed-cell lattice structure formed as a unitary body in the shape of a marine hull cavity, the unit cells of the closed-cell lattice structure are substantially hollow. In an illustrative example, a method may include (a) forming a closed-cell lattice structure through additive manufacture, the hull cavity material may be bonded to an upper manufactured liner and a lower manufactured liner through lamination or mechanical connection. Unit cells of the closed-cell lattice structure may include hollow voids filled with gases. Providing the additive manufactured closed-cell lattice structure with a unitary body and hollow voids to trap gases may further advantageously promote the buoyancy and reduce the degeneration of a marine hull.

Abstract: A tool for forming a part includes a first tool portion including a first tool surface. The tool further includes a second tool portion comprising a second tool surface facing the first tool surface, wherein the first tool surface and the second tool surface define a tool chamber for forming the part. The tool further includes a bladder subassembly disposed in the tool chamber between the first tool surface and the second tool surface. The bladder subassembly includes a plurality of inner bladders disposed within tool chamber, wherein each inner bladder of the plurality of inner bladders includes an inner bladder chamber that is independently inflatable to selectively apply pressure to the part. The bladder subassembly further includes a bladder cover disposed over the plurality of inner bladders within the tool chamber to provide a barrier between the plurality of inner bladders and the part.

Abstract: A closure (100) for a container (104) comprises a base (106) and a spout (110) disposed upon a mouth of said container (104) and defining a void space (134) between them; a cap (118) which comprises an inner body (124) concentrically disposed within an outer body (122), said cap configured to be disposed on said base (106) so as to seal therewith; and at least one tamper-evident device (136) extending between and locking together said cap (118) and said base (106), said tamper-evident device (136) comprising a flattened member extending from an edge of said inner body member (124) over at least one frangible link (140) and engaging said base (106) such that when the cap (118) is opened said at least one frangible link (140) ruptures, said tamper-evident device (136) consequently falling into and being partially obscured by said void space (134).

Abstract: A method for making a connection between a pair of objects includes using a fixture to hold in place shims used to control the gap thickness between the objects. The gap may be subsequently filled with adhesive that is then cured. The fixture may be a flexible piece of material that is able to withstand the cure environment, for example being able to withstand heat used to cure the adhesive. The fixture may facilitate maintaining the proper gap by holding the shims in their proper places and orientation until the adhesive is cured and the shims are removed. The use of the fixture may improve the uniformity of the gap at less effort, and may reduce defects in the adhesive layer, for example by facilitating removal of the shims without disturbing or damaging the adhesive, such as by pulling the shims straight out of their locations in the gap.

Abstract: A template and method of using the template is disclosed. The template can include a body with a first side and a second side, and an extension. The extension can include a first surface adjacent the body, a second surface, and a third surface between the first surface and the second surface, where the first surface includes a curvature and where a portion of the curvature of the first surface is interior to the third surface. The method can include dispensing a formable material over a substrate, where the substrate includes a non-uniform surface topography. The method can also include curing the formable material contacting the second surface of the extension to form a layer over the substrate while the formable material contacting the third surface of the extension remains in a liquid state, wherein curing is performed while the template is contacting the formable material.

Abstract: An imprint template and an imprint method are provided. The imprint template includes a base substrate, an imprinting pattern layer and a deformable layer; wherein the deformable layer is disposed on a surface of the imprinting pattern layer facing away from the base substrate, and a shape of a surface of the deformable layer facing away from the base substrate is identical to an equidistant expanded shape of a shape of a surface of the imprinting pattern layer facing away from the base substrate; the deformable layer is configured to have a variable thickness under an external stimulation.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a composite part. The apparatus comprises a sleeve that molds a composite material. The sleeve has a first face and a second face. The second face has features to mold the composite material. The first face comprises a first inclined surface having an angle less than about 90 degrees and greater than about 0 degrees.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of implantable prosthetic devices, and in particular, implantable prosthetic valves, and methods for making such devices. In one aspect, a prosthetic device includes encapsulating layers that extend over a fabric layer and secure the fabric layer to another component of the device. In particular embodiments, the prosthetic device comprises a prosthetic heart valve, and can be configured to be implanted in any of the native heart valves. In addition, the prosthetic heart valve can be, for example, a transcatheter heart valve, a surgical heart valve, or a minimally-invasive heart valve.

Abstract: Methods for producing at least a part of a sporting good, in particular a sports shoe, can include: (a) depositing a first material into a mold, and (b) vibrating the mold to modify the distribution of the first material in the mold.

Abstract: Forming systems and methods for drape forming a composite charge are disclosed herein. The forming systems include a forming die having a forming surface configured to receive the composite charge and a collapsible support having a support surface. The forming surface has a forming surface edge that extends along a length of the forming surface, and the support surface has a die-proximate support surface edge that extends along the length of the support surface. The forming surface edge and the die-proximate support surface edge define a gap therebetween. A shape of the die-proximate support surface edge corresponds to a shape of the forming surface edge such that a gap width of the gap is at least substantially constant along a length of the gap. The collapsible support is configured to transition from an extended conformation to a collapsed conformation. The methods include methods of utilizing the systems.

Abstract: A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on a first object in an opening provided on a second object. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. During the step of inserting the insert portion in the opening and/or during anchorage a clamping force is applied to opposing surfaces of the second object to prevent the second object from cracking or bulging.

Abstract: A blow molding machine includes a support member that supports a mold component and a moving mechanism that moves the support member to a projecting position toward the outside of the machine and to a storing position. The machine includes a first fixed fulcrum shaft. The support member includes a base end portion rotatably supported by the first fixed fulcrum shaft and a free end portion having a first movable fulcrum shaft. The moving mechanism has rotatably interconnected links. One link is rotatably supported by the movable fulcrum shaft. In the projecting position, the links are maintained linearly by a first angle fixing tool to serve as a leg portion that supports the support member's free end portion.

Abstract: A method for fusing thermoplastic composite structures includes placing a substructure on an inner surface of a skin that is laid up on a shaping surface of a tool configured to maintain the shape of an outer mold line. The method further includes applying at least one insulation layer over a flange of the substructure and over exposed portions of the inner surface of the skin not in contact with the substructure, and applying a vacuum bag to at least partly enclose the skin and the substructure. The method yet still further includes applying heat to the shaping surface to fuse the substructure to the skin such that the skin exceeds its melting point and at least a portion of a raised segment of the substructure does not exceed its melting point.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for a composite structure that allows for out of autoclave curing. Due to the layout of the composite structure, voids within the composite structure, formed out of autoclave, is reduced. The composite structure includes a composite laminate and one or more infusion films. The composite laminate includes a plurality of fiber tows that each include a plurality of fiber strands and a resin. The resin has a first viscosity within a first temperature range. The infusion film is disposed on a surface of the composite laminate and has a second viscosity lower than the first viscosity within the first temperature range. Methods of curing the composite structure are also described.

Abstract: There is provided a lay-up head for applying elongate fibre reinforcement material to an application surface. The lay-up head comprises a support head having a transverse axis, a dispensing mechanism carried by the support head for dispensing elongate fibre reinforcement material, and a roller for pressing elongate fibre composite material against the application surface. The roller is tiltable with respect to the support head such that the roller axis can be angled with respect to the transverse axis of support head. The lay-up head also comprises a holding mechanism operable to hold the roller in a central position in which the roller axis is parallel to the transverse axis of the support head.