Abstract: Disclosed is a method, a mould system and a mould part for a mould system, for manufacture of a component for a wind turbine blade. The mould part may have a moulding surface with a primary side section, a secondary side section, and a central portion between the primary side section and the secondary side section. The mould part has a primary connection interface configured to abut a secondary connection interface of a second mould part. The primary connection interface comprises a primary connection surface substantially perpendicular to the moulding surface. The primary connection interface comprising an outlet configured to be connected to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A flip-top tube (1), for example for cream, includes a tubular body (2) having a mouth (22), a cap (18) having a tab (70), and a label film (4) which at least partially wraps the tubular body and covers the tab (70) of the cap (18) to form a tamper-evident seal suitable for indicating the first opening of the tube.

Abstract: A laying die, for picking up and laying of substrates, comprising an elastically deformable substrate receiving structure providing an engagement surface for releasable receiving of substrates, an attaching element comprising a gas channel for providing positively or negatively pressurized gas for picking up and blowing off the substrates, and a carrier body made from elastically deformable material and sandwiched between the substrate receiving structure and the attaching element which is arranged to distribute the positively or negatively pressurized gas over the carrier body. The carrier body comprises breakthroughs to transfer the pressurized gas from the attaching element to the substrate receiving structure that comprises an elastically deformable distribution plate to distribute the positively or negatively pressurized gas over the engagement surface.

Abstract: A lamination device includes a jig configured to accommodate a window having a curved surface; a transfer member configured to allow a film member attached to the window to be spaced from the window; a roller unit configured to press a surface of the transfer member to which the film member is not attached and attaching the film member to the window; a driving unit connected to the roller unit and configured to move the roller unit along the curved surface of the window by rotating with respect to a single rotational center; and a pressing unit connected to the driving unit and the roller unit and configured to press the roller unit.

Abstract: A disposable canister filled with sealant liquid has an inner closure for retaining the sealant liquid inside the canister; a compressed-air inlet conduit; an outlet conduit for receiving the sealant liquid when the closure is in an open position; a first portion having one of the inlet and outlet conduits; and a second portion; the first and second portions being joined by a weld to form a tank which holds the sealant liquid in a ready-for-use position by means of the closure.

Abstract: A liquid based ice protection test system for testing an aircraft part having a first heating element comprises a tub configured for retaining a low temperature bath. The system also includes a first support member for suspending the aircraft part in the tub and a first temperature sensing device for sensing temperatures from one or more locations of a skin of the aircraft part.

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: 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.

Abstract: Winding method for the production of a rotationally symmetric, tube-like hollow body preform, device (10) for the production of a rotationally symmetric, tube-like hollow body preform and a method for the production of a device for producing a rotationally symmetric, tube-like hollow body preform, wherein reinforcing fibres soaked with a resin are wound in a winding process on a rotatably driven winding core (1) having an outside diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the hollow body preform and wherein the hollow body preform is removed from the winding core after a subsequent hardening of the hollow body preform by means of supplied heat. For the winding process and/or hardening of the hollow body preform, the outside diameter of the winding core corresponds to the inside diameter of the hollow body preform to be produced, wherein the outside diameter of the winding core is reduced to a smaller outside diameter for the removal of the hollow body preform from the winding core.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the apparatus and methods are configured to make containers such as disposable reinforced cups using reinforcing members configured to be respectively attached to cups. The apparatus and method of various embodiments of the present disclosure sequentially heat different or selective portions of the heat activated adhesive on the reinforcing member at multiple sequential stages, steps or times to attach the reinforcing member to the container.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lining part (L), which is formed from a support part (10) and a decorative layer (20), the method having the steps of: moving together a first tool part (210) with a first shaping surface (210a), against which a support part (10) lies, and a second tool part (220) with a second shaping surface (220a), against which a decorative layer (20) lies, wherein a groove section (61) of the support part (10), forming a support part longitudinal groove (50), is situated in a tool depression which is constructed in the first shaping surface (210a), extending a positioner (250) mounted in the second tool part (220) into an extended position such that the positioner (250) positions an edge section (25) of the decorative layer (20) such that said edge section projects into a region (60) bounded by the support part longitudinal groove (50), extending a slider (270) adjacent to the extended positioner (250) such that an edge section of the slider (270) presses the edge section (25) of the decor

Abstract: A tape application machine and method are provided. The machine includes a nest device that moves along a linear rail from a first position to a second position. The nest device holds a battery cell therein. The machine further includes a tape application device that dispenses electrically non-conductive tape and applies a first portion of the tape on a first side of the battery cell. The machine further includes a tape bending device that conforms a second portion of the electrically non-conductive tape onto a second side of the battery cell. The machine further includes a tape compression device that compresses the tape on the first and second sides of the battery cell.

Abstract: The present invention includes: a label opening unit, which preliminarily opens a tubular label folded in a sheet; a label expansion unit, which expands the preliminarily opened label; a bottle lifting unit having a mounting, on which the bottle is mounted and which can rise and fall; and a bottle pull-up unit, which lifts the bottle while holding with the bottle an upper end portion of the label attached to the bottle. After the bottle lifting unit has lifted the mounting on which the bottle is mounted, thereby inserting the bottle into the label expanded by the label expansion unit, the bottle pull-up unit pulls up the bottle, thereby removing expansion claws from the label and moving the bottle to above clamp members of the label opening unit.

Abstract: A wrapper assembly is disclosed that can be used, for example, to wrap a label around a wire. In the wrapper assembly, a pair of supports are spaced apart from one another and a plurality of rollers are disposed there between. The wrapper assembly further includes at least one yoke. Both the pair of supports and the yoke have positioning slots formed therein that support the rollers. By moving the yoke or yokes relative to the supports, the positioning slots in the yoke or yokes shifts relative to the positioning slots in the supports and thereby adjusting the positions of rollers relative to one another.

Abstract: Mechanism for automatically cutting and placement of resin impregnated fibers in a carrier setting to the carriage that moves longitudinally and transversely relative to the axis of the wound part and where is provided more pneumatic cylinders one of which is rotational and other are used for longitudinal movement of the components mounted of the guides, for linear motion and implication and extraction of the fiber hold bed, for opening and closing the knife and the moving of pressure roller.

Abstract: A method is provided for transferring a graphene sheet to metal contact bumps of a substrate that is to be used in a semiconductor device package, i.e. a stack of substrates connected by said contact bumps, e.g., copper contact bumps for which graphene forms a protective layer. An imprinter device can be used comprising an imprinter substrate, said substrate being provided with cavities, whereof each cavity is provided with a rim portion. The imprinter substrate is aligned with the substrate comprising the bumps and lowered onto said substrate so that each bump becomes enclosed by a cavity, until the rim portion of the cavities cuts through the graphene sheet, leaving graphene layer portions on top of each of bumps when the imprinter is removed. The graphene sheet is preferably attached to the substrate by imprinting it into a passivation layer surrounding the bumps.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite preform having a profile with variable profile height or width is provided. The method includes: providing a plurality of first fibre layers overlapping or upon one another in or substantially parallel to a primary plane; inserting a second fibre layer via a guide member between two of the first fibre layers at an edge region of the preform profile, such that the second fibre layer extends substantially parallel to the first fibre layers; and positioning the edge region of the preform profile, and thus respective edge regions of the first fibre layers, out of the primary plane to set or determine a dimension of the preform profile in the primary plane.

Abstract: An anti-vibrating tape dispenser of a carton sealing machine includes a stand erected on the carton sealing machine, a fixed shaft extended transversally from the stand, a sleeve provided for loading a tape and coaxially sheathed on the periphery of the fixed shaft, a slide mechanism installed on the stand and below the sleeve and including a slide rail slidably installed on a fixed rail, an abutting rod fixed onto the slide rail and extended in the same direction of the fixed shaft, an abutting roller sheathed on the abutting rod and abutted against the external periphery of the tape roller. As the external diameter of the tape roller varies, the abutting roller slides along the slide rail to abut against the external periphery of tape roller normally, and the abutting roller includes one-way bearings for limiting the abutting roller to rotate round the abutting rod in a direction only.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to manufacture shaped counter top edges for custom counter tops. Sheet laminate is heated, clamped to a post form mold with clamping screws, and then formed around the post form mold into formed laminate. The formed laminate is then bonded to a substrate using adhesive and a bonding fixture having a plurality of bonding presses. Each bonding press has a pair of mutually opposed bonding press molds, each bonding press mold having a bonding press mold groove sized to admit a formed laminate around an edge of the substrate. Clamps hold the bonding press molds together, thereby urging the formed laminate into intimate contact with the substrate until the adhesive cures. A counter top edge is cut from the resulting substrate/laminate assembly at an edge first cut angle and an edge second cut angle to provide a neat and aesthetically pleasing installation on a counter.

Abstract: In one example, an attachment method includes positioning first and second inanimate elements proximate each other, and then wrapping a fabric about portions of the first and second inanimate elements so as to at least partly connect the first and second inanimate elements to each other. The fabric may be impregnated with a casting material. The casting material is then cured.

Abstract: A device for producing tubular structures for packaging tubes, comprising an elongate mandrel (3) extending axially, around which a substrate web can be subjected to a forming process to produce a tubular moulding (4), where, within the mandrel (3), there are a plurality of gas-outlet apertures (15) to which compressed gas can be applied to produce a gas cushion, in particular an air cushion, between the mandrel (3) and the tubular moulding (4), and where there are welding means for welding the tubular moulding, and where, with the aid of means (19) arranged radially adjacent to the mandrel (3) and capable of providing a combination of pressure-application and conveying, the tubular moulding (4) can be forced radially inwards in a direction towards a mandrel surface (16) which belongs to the mandrel (3) and which is convexly curved in a circumferential direction, and the tubular moulding (4) can be transported in a direction of the longitudinal direction of the mandrel (3) by virtue of a frictional effect bet

Abstract: A mold (10) according to the present invention is a mold for molding a surface of a laminate (60) when curing the laminate (60) obtained by laminating prepreg (62). The mold (10) has a planar plate shape and elastically deforms from the planar plate shape into a shape corresponding to a shape of the laminate (60), thereby being capable of coming tight into contact with the laminate (60). Thereby, a mold which is easy to handle can be provided.

Abstract: A mold (100) according to the present invention is a mold used when curing a cylindrical laminate (30) obtained by laminating prepreg. The mold (100) includes a core die (10) located inside the laminate (30) and a surface die (20) that is located outside the laminate (30) and includes a plurality of partial surface dies (21 to 27). The partial surface dies (21 to 27) are arranged in a circumferential direction of the laminate (30) so as to cover the entire circumferential surface of the laminate (30). Each of the partial surface dies (21 to 27) is made of a fiber-reinforced resin in which a quantity of fiber having a grain direction in agreement with the circumferential direction differs from a quantity of fiber having a grain direction in agreement with an axial direction.

Abstract: A fabrication method and a fabrication device capable of fabricating medium-scale mass production parts. The method of fabricating a composite material hollow part includes: holding a tool on a frame using a holding section that maintains a gap between the tool and the frame, placing a prepreg on the tool, covering the tool and the prepreg using a highly stretchable sheet, securing the highly stretchable sheet and the frame with a securing jig so that tension is applied to the highly stretchable sheet from the top portion of the prepreg where the highly stretchable sheet contacts the prepreg at the highly stretchable sheet and the outer periphery of both the tool and the prepreg to the edges of the highly stretchable sheet, thereby forming an enclosed space that houses the tool and the prepreg, and subsequently evacuating the inside of the enclosed space to wrap the prepreg around the tool.

Abstract: A forming apparatus includes a base material jig provided on a base, adhesion means for making a sheet having an adhesion layer and covered to a base material retained on the base material jig adhere to the base material, and trimming means for performing trimming on the sheet with respect to the base material with the sheet adhered thereto, in a state in which the base material is not removed from the base material jig.

Abstract: The present application describes an arrangement for applying a label to the periphery of a moving object. The arrangement may include an initial label dispensing an application station, a label tacking station, and a label wrapping station. Associated methods are also described.

Abstract: A contoured glass sheet laminating system may include a glass-side vacuum bed, a laminate-side vacuum bed and a lamination actuator. The glass-side vacuum bed may include a vacuum backside and a mold-receiving side and may have sufficient permeability to permit a vacuum system to pull a vacuum across a thickness of the glass-side vacuum bed between the vacuum backside and the mold-receiving side of the glass-side vacuum bed. The laminate-side vacuum bed may include a vacuum backside and a thin-film loading side and may have sufficient permeability to permit a vacuum system to pull a vacuum across a thickness of the laminate-side vacuum bed between the vacuum backside and the thin-film loading side of the of the laminate-side vacuum bed.

Abstract: A mandrel used with forming composite parts includes an outer surface on which composite material is placed, and a groove in which splice material is filled. The groove may be positioned on the outer surface along the length of the mandrel. A method for forming composite parts includes the steps of providing a mandrel that includes a groove aligned with its longitudinal axis, filling the groove with splice material, cutting the composite material to match the shape and the size of the mandrel, placing the composite material around the outer surface of the mandrel, and curing the composite material and the mandrel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery cell manufacturing device configured to manufacture a battery cell including two or more unit cells. The battery cell manufacturing device includes a unit cell stacking unit into which unit cells are introduced from above and in which the unit cells are sequentially stacked, a wrapping unit to wrap an outside of the unit cell stack discharged from the unit cell stacking unit with a separation film, and a heating unit to thermally shrink the separation film wrapping the outside of the unit cell stack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to manufacture shaped counter top edges for custom counter tops. Sheet laminate is heated, clamped to a post form mold with clamping screws, and then formed around the post form mold into formed laminate. The formed laminate is then bonded to a substrate using adhesive and a bonding fixture having a plurality of bonding presses. Each bonding press has a pair of mutually opposed bonding press molds, each bonding press mold having a bonding press mold groove sized to admit a formed laminate around an edge of the substrate. Clamps hold the bonding press molds together, thereby urging the formed laminate into intimate contact with the substrate until the adhesive cures. A counter top edge is cut from the resulting substrate/laminate assembly at an edge first cut angle and an edge second cut angle to provide a neat and aesthetically pleasing installation on a counter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a tray, a folding section connected to the tray, and a tape application system. The tray has a channel for receiving an elongate insert for a composite material with a number of layers for a release system. The folding section is capable of folding a number of layers around the elongate insert to cover the elongate insert as the elongate insert is moved through the folding unit. The tape application system is capable of applying a tape to the number of layers for covering the elongate insert to form the release system.

Abstract: The application of image transfer paper and a wrap to a curved surface of a container is described. A device for affixing the image transfer paper and wrap includes a base, a support member to support the container, and two wrap applicator arms coupled to the base in a pivoting manner. The support member includes a shoulder and, when the container is placed upon the support member, an edge of the container around an opening of the container rests upon the shoulder and a perimeter of the shoulder extends beyond a perimeter of the edge of the container. The shoulder receives the image transfer paper and aligns the image transfer paper with the edge of the container. Each wrap applicator arm is configured to receive a respective end of the wrap. Rotating the wrap applicator arms about the support member stretches the wrap around the container and image transfer paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed a configurable modular labeling machine and a method of making same. The machine can be selectively assembled in a number of different configurations. The machine has a frame or housing that can mount selectively positionable applicator and rewind modules. The applicator module includes a plate that can carry direction-changing and feed rolls and can mount a dispensing mechanism. The rewind module can include a plate that can mount direction-changing rolls and a rewind.

Abstract: A commercial tape applicator capable of folding at least one side edge of a tape as it is fed to the applicator to provide an easily a gripped edge on the tape after it has been applied to the case. The invention provides a folding station on a dancer platform mounted on a dancer arm that has a nip roll at its free end and the arm is biased so that the nip roll is in contact with the periphery of a tape roll forming the source of tape and is usable to align the tape path through the folding station with the tape leaving the tape roll and accommodate deformation of the roll. A latch and cooperating cog wheel may be used to control the off feeding of the tape for the supply roll.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing in which an antenna and a proximity sensor formed from flex circuit structures are mounted. The flex circuit structures may include first and second flex circuit layers. The first and second flex circuit layers may include metal antenna structures and metal proximity sensor electrode structures. Solder may be used to attach electrical components to the flex circuit layers and may be used to electrically connect metal structures on the first and second flex circuit layers to each other. The first and second flex circuit layers may be laminated together using a compressive fixture. The compressive fixture may have a first fixture with a convex surface and a second fixture with a concave surface so that the laminated flex circuit layers are provided with a bend.

Abstract: The lid shaping device includes: container placing table 111; container lifting and lowering means; lid shaping unit 112 including container mouth pressing means 119, annular coil spring 123 arranged in a cylindrical holder, and pusher provided above the annular coil spring and having spring pressing inner circumferential surface 127; and pusher lifting and lowering means. The device operates in the order of first lifting by the container lifting and lowering means until upper part or middle part of the lid skirt is located on the inner side of the annular coil spring, lowering of the pusher for lowering the container until the spring pressing inner circumferential surface reduces the diameter of the annular coil spring, and second lifting by the container lifting and lowering means for lifting the container until the lower end of the lid skirt is located on the inner side of the annular coil spring.

Abstract: A mandrel suitable for forming a hollow part from a heat curable material includes an (a) an elongate central member having a coefficient of expansion which is different than the coefficient of expansion of the cured heat curable material, (b) at least one lateral member disposed at a first location and projecting away from the outer surface of the central member, the lateral member being slidably attached to the central member, and (c) a rigid elongate strut member having a coefficient of expansion substantially similar to the coefficient of expansion of the cured heat curable material. The first end of the strut member is affixed to the lateral member, and the second end of the strut member is affixed spaced apart from the lateral member.

Abstract: A fitting including at least one composite material bracket with two flat segments forming an angle less than 180° on an inside of the bracket and an angle greater than 180° on an outside of the bracket, together with a stiffener extending on the inside of the bracket between the two flat segments is disclosed. The bracket presents a slot crossing a straight line between the two flat segments, the slot extending into the two flat segments. The stiffener is folded in register with the slot and includes tabs fastened to each of the two flat segments.

Abstract: There is provided a coating method that allows a core member surface to be coated with a resin film without causing excess tensile strain on the resin film. A core member 20 on whose surface is formed a protruding part 20A is disposed inside a lower chamber 2b, the protruding part 20A comprising two sloped surfaces 22 and 23, and a ridge line 21. A resin film 10 is so disposed as to partition an internal space of a chamber 2. The resin film 10 is heated in such a manner that a part 23 that is to coat a part on the side where the sloped surface with the smaller slope angle is becomes higher in temperature than a part 22 that is to coat a part on the side where the sloped surface with the greater slope angle is. The resin film 10 is extended in such a manner that the resin film 10 expands towards an upper chamber 2a. The ridge line 21 of the core member 20 is brought into contact with the resin film 10 by moving the core member 20 towards the resin film 10.

Abstract: The film sticking apparatus includes: a gripping member; a pressing member pressing the adhesive face of the film being held in a planar state against one end face of a cylindrical honeycomb structure having a plurality of cells, and thus sticking the film to the one end face; and a folding member having an opening portion formed that allows an end of the honeycomb structure on the side to which the film is stuck to be inserted, wherein the folding member folds a protruding portion of the film protruding from the one end face of the honeycomb structure by inserting the honeycomb structure into the opening portion, toward a side face of the honeycomb structure, and simultaneously presses at least a part of the folded protruding portion against a part of the side face of the honeycomb structure to stick the film to the side face.

Abstract: An improved tape supply system particularly suited for use in a multifunction tape applicator for applying a front and/or back L-clips to a case wherein a dancer roll is operable to provide slack in the tape and a break is applied to facilitate cutting of the tape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying and fastening a decorative layer on a preform for the formation of a support part, with the steps: inserting a first section (22) of the preform (20) together with the decorative layer (30) into a first tool (W1), moving the first tool (W1) together, wherein an end section (32) of the decorative layer (30) covers at least a portion of the first region (42) of a connecting section (40), having a groove, placing a second section (24) of the preform (20) onto a second tool (W2), moving the first (W1) and the second tool (W2) relative to one another in the groove depth direction (NT), whereby the second region (44) of the connecting section (40) is deformed such that the latter forms a groove (46) with an increasing groove depth and wherein the relative movement of the tools (W1, W2) with respect to one another takes place such that the end section (32) of the decorative layer (30) is introduced in the groove depth direction (NT) into the groove (46), and pressing

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a tray, a folding section connected to the tray, and a tape application system. The tray has a channel for receiving an elongate insert for a composite material with a number of layers for a release system. The folding section is capable of folding a number of layers around the elongate insert to cover the elongate insert as the elongate insert is moved through the folding unit. The tape application system is capable of applying a tape to the number of layers for covering the elongate insert to form the release system.

Abstract: A method of laminating a surface of a flexible material to a surface of a rigid, curved material. The method includes pressing an area of the surface of the flexible material into the surface of the rigid, curved material with a holder to create a contact area while the flexible material is conformed to the holder, which has a curvature greater than a curvature of the rigid, curved material surface; and changing the contact area between the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid, curved material while maintaining pressure on the contact area until the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid curved material are laminated.

Abstract: A drywall trim application device that can hold a large role of drywall flex corner trim material and, as the material is being dispensed, pre-crease or form the material for use on an inside or outside corner, or any angle within the range of the trim material, apply a mastic material (drywall mud, adhesive or any other bonding medium) to the flex trim material, and cut the material at any desired length automatically. Measurements may be either input by hand or downloaded from an electronic measurement tool into this device. This invention can generally store multiple measurements such as length and angles, measure the length of flex trim material as it is dispensed from the device, crease the material, apply predetermined amount of mastic, and automatically cut the flex trim material to each length previously input.

Abstract: A tape application tool (30) that can hold an adhesive-backed paint replacement tape in position relative to a window frame (34), as well as apply at least the sash section of the tape to the sash portion of the window frame, without having to use a separate location tool and without having to use a paint replacement tape that includes a removable location tab. The tool comprises at least one tape application roller (58), at least one or more guide rollers (66,68), a biasing mechanism, at least one first tape locating surface (54) and, optionally, a tool stop surface (44).

Abstract: A mandrel for manufacturing a unitary seamless section of an aircraft fuselage comprises a thin lay-up mandrel element disposed onto the outer shell surface of an inner mandrel shell, forming a mandrel with a substantially continuous lay-up surface. A unitary pre-cured section of an aircraft fuselage is formed by laying up a plurality of resin impregnated skin fibers onto the mandrel's lay-up surface while the mandrel rotates.

Abstract: A mould system for manufacturing a fiber reinforced plastic product includes a mould plate, an upstanding structure on top of the mould plate as well as a support device. The mould plate is deformable according to bending and/or torsion into deformed out-of-plane shapes. The upstanding structure is deformable according to the mould plate deformation, the mould plate and upstanding structure defining a circumferentially closed mould area, and the support device including multiple supports which interact with the mould plate and a base beneath the mould plate. The supports are adjustable for providing the deformed shapes of the mould plate and the upstanding structure.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a tooling structure for tooling a fiber reinforced plastic component include providing a plurality of tooling blocks each comprising a filler material and a reinforcing structural layer, joining the plurality of tooling blocks into a series of tooling blocks extending in a lengthwise direction, wherein the reinforcing structural layers form a plurality of cross-sectional ribs, and shaping the series of tooling blocks into the tooling structure.

Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.