Abstract: A method includes compressing a non-dielectric, elastically-deformable component, a wire mesh component, and a dielectric, contoured object between first and second forming tools. Once the components are compressed, radio frequency energy is supplied to the first forming tool, thereby causing a radio frequency electromagnetic field to be generated between the first forming tool and the wire mesh component that results in a contoured weld of the contoured object. A tooling assembly is configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: A method for forming a wrapping material for hygiene articles involves: providing one of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the first region with a first resealable adhesive, such that the other of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the first region is adhesive-free; providing one of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the second region with a first resealable adhesive, such that the other of the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion of the edge zone of the second region is adhesive-free; and providing at least one of the first central portion of the first region and the second central portion of the second region with a second adhesive; wherein the steps a-c are performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A composite acoustic liner has a septumized cellular core. Septa are installed in the core as the individual core cells are being formed. Individual tools are used to both form the cells of the core and index the septa within the cells. The septa and the cellular core are cocured.

Abstract: A method of making a wind turbine blade (10) having a metallic lightning receptor (110) is described. The method comprises configuring a wind turbine blade (10) mold assembly (100) such that a clearance region (120) is defined between a mold surface (116) of at least one mold half (112, 114) and a majority of a metallic lightning receptor component (110) when the mold assembly (100) is closed, such that contact between that mold half (112, 114) and the metallic lightning receptor component (110) is substantially avoided. In certain embodiments of the invention, one or both mold halves (112, 114) are truncated such that the metallic lightning receptor component (110) projects from the mold (100) when the mold (100) is closed.

Abstract: In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a mandrel is disclosed. The mandrel having a shape memory alloy (SMA) shell having a longitudinal axis, an interior extending along the longitudinal axis and an exterior contour, the SMA shell being configured to interface with a structure to be cured, and at least one SMA actuation member disposed within the interior and connected to the SMA shell, where the at least one SMA actuation member is configured to exert pressure against the SMA shell effecting an interface pressure between the exterior contour of the SMA shell and the structure to be cured where the exterior contour has a predetermined actuated shape that corresponds to a predetermined cured shape of the structure to be cured.

Abstract: An Occam process (solderless manufacturing) that employs a component support fixture that provides permanent or temporary support for components during subsequent processing in a solderless process for electrically connecting the components to circuits. The component support fixture provides oversized compartments for housing the components which may have varying sizes. The compartments are provided with vent holes or apertures for venting air or excess glue as the component support is pressed against the components during manufacture.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rotor blade, including: a) arranging a first layup of fiber material inside a mold, the first layup corresponding to an airfoil of the rotor blade, b) arranging a second layup of fiber material on a core member before and/or after arranging the core member in the mold, the second layup including the core member corresponding to a web of the rotor blade, the core member comprising a recess configured to ensure a smooth transfer of loads into and out of the web, and c) curing a resin impregnating the fiber material of the first and second layup to form the rotor blade.

Abstract: A method for producing a friction body, in particular a wet friction disk in a motor vehicle, the friction body turning about a rotational axis during operation. The friction body has a friction area and a connection area and the connection area of the friction body is connected to a friction body carrier. A friction body, in particular a wet friction disc in a motor vehicle, is also provided.

Abstract: An upper opening accommodating chamber and a lower opening upper box are joined vertically together with a decorative film sandwiched therebetween to sealingly form a forming space in which the accommodating spaces and are coupled together, and each of the upper and the lower spaces of the forming space is pressure-controlled to bring, under reduced pressure, the decorative film into close contact with a surface of a part of the adherend accommodated in the forming space. The accommodating chamber includes a recessed receiving jig enclosing a predetermined forming portion of the entire adherend from the inside of the portion to a side periphery, and only the portion surrounded by the receiving jig is partially vacuum formed.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for assembling stiffened composite structures are disclosed. Some methods include forming a stiffener assembly by compacting it within a trough formed in a trunnion. A single trunnion may accommodate two or more different types of stiffeners, thereby avoiding the need for multiple sets of tooling. In some methods, a plurality of stiffener segments may be spliced together, thereby avoiding the need to transport and handle an entire stiffener. A vacuum chuck may be utilized in some examples to transfer the stiffener assembly from the trunnion to a transfer tool. The same vacuum chuck may be transferred along with the stiffener assembly on the transfer tool and loaded onto an inner mold line layup mandrel, where the vacuum chuck may be used to compact the stiffener assembly to the inner mold line layup mandrel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tampon includes the steps of at least partially overlaying a web of base material with a web of absorbent material. The web of absorbent material is secured to the web of base material with a first securement. At least one of the web of base material and the web of absorbent material is folded after the first securement. The web of absorbent material is further secured to the web of base material with a second securement that is a stronger securement than the first securement. The web of absorbent material and the web of base material together define a web of cover material. The web of cover material is applied to an absorbent structure. The web of cover material and the absorbent structure is manipulated such that the web of cover material extends about a circumference of the absorbent structure to form a tampon.