Abstract: A method for producing a polymeric vehicle add-on part having a decorative element is presented. According to one aspect, the method includes provision of a first polymeric material phase and transfer of a decorative element from a carrier film onto a first surface of the first polymeric material phase by hot stamping using a punch. A second polymeric material phase is then applied on the first surface of the first polymeric material phase so to arrange the decorative element between the first polymeric material phase and the second polymeric material phase. According to another aspect, the first polymeric material phase or the second polymeric material phase is transparent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for transporting an arrangement of flexible circuit substrates produced on a transport substrate during the production of a laminate from the arranged circuit substrates, as well as—building thereon—a method and a device for producing a laminate of flexible circuit substrates. In the method, a film is applied to the arranged circuit substrates on the side thereof opposite the transport substrate, with the result that the film comes to lie over the transport substrate in at least two sections that are separate from each other and are not covered by a circuit substrate, and runs between them continuously over at least one of the circuit substrates.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite structure. The method includes depositing a plurality of thermoplastic particles onto at least one of a surface of a filler member and a surface of a structural member. The method further includes assembling the filler member with the structural member such that the plurality of thermoplastic particles are disposed proximate an interface between the filler member and the structural member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wing-box for aircraft comprises: arranging, on a curing surface, a first panel of composite material comprising a skin a plurality of longitudinal stringers, and arranging, on each stringer, a caul plate; arranging, on the first panel, pluralities of support inserts so that each support insert rests on a respective caul plate, and on the skin of the first panel, and arranging, on the first panel, a plurality of ribs of non-polymerized composite material, each rib comprising a plate, a first pair of flanges and a second pair of flanges arranged at opposed ends of the plate, and having openings on an edge of the plate, by placing the respective first pair of flanges on the first panel and the respective plurality of openings on the plurality of support inserts, and having the first panel and the plurality of ribs undergo a curing process in autoclave with vacuum bag.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion system includes a machine for converting a stock material into a strip of relatively lower-density dunnage, a coiling mechanism for winding the strip into a coil, a taping mechanism for automatically securing a trailing end of the strip to the coil, and a coil ejecting mechanism for automatically removing the coil from the coiling mechanism. The taping mechanism includes a guide surface between an outlet of the machine and the coiling mechanism to guide the strip to the coiling mechanism and to guide tape for engagement with a trailing end of the strip and to secure the trailing end of the strip to the coil. The coil ejecting mechanism includes a lever arm that pivots to push the completed coil off the coiling mechanism.

Abstract: Techniques are described for transferring nanofiber forests using transfer films that either lack a conventional adhesive at the substrate—nanofiber forest interface or that include a diffusion barrier that prevents diffusion of adhesive molecules (or other polymer molecules mobile at ambient temperatures) into the nanofiber forest. These techniques can be applied to single layer nanofiber forests or stacks of multiple nanofiber forest. By selecting the bond strength between the nanofiber forest and the transfer films, the nanofibers can be aligned in a common direction that includes, but is not limited to, perpendicular to a substrate or transfer film.

Abstract: The disclosed microfluidic valves may include a valve body having at least one cavity therein, a gate transmission element separating the cavity into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal, a gate port configured to convey drive fluid into the input gate terminal, and a fluid channel. The gate transmission element may include a flexible membrane and a plunger coupled to the flexible membrane. The gate transmission element may be configured to move within the cavity to inhibit a subject fluid flow from an inlet port to an outlet port of the fluid channel upon pressurization of the input gate terminal, and to allow subject fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port upon depressurization of the input gate terminal. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A structural member including a lightweight core, one or more skins, and a crosslinking nanolayer interposed therebetween that results in significant mechanical strength in the structure. The core is a polymer of reduced density by way of included voids, such as an open or closed cell foam, honeycomb, or corrugated structure. The core polymer has a lower density and may have a higher softening or melting temperature than the polymer skin materials. The core may be discontinuous at the interface with the skin such that only a small percentage of the core surface is actually in contact with the skin compared to the overall area of the interface. The skin may be a thermoplastic layer that attaches to the core material. The skin may be a composite material including non-thermoplastic reinforcements. The crosslinking nanolayer is covalently bonded to the surface of the core material and provides molecular compatibility with the skin material.

Abstract: Embodiments of a curved vehicle display including a display module having a display surface, a curved glass substrate disposed on the display surface having a first major surface, a second major surface having a second surface area, and a thickness in a range from 0.05 mm to 2 mm, wherein the second major surface comprises a first radius of curvature of 200 mm or greater, wherein, when the display module emits a light, the light transmitted through the glass substrate has a substantially uniform color along 75% or more of the second surface area, when viewed at a viewing angle at a distance of 0.5 meters from the second surface. Methods of forming a curved vehicle display are also disclosed.

Abstract: A single-use box containing a paper band coil. Previously known methods of feeding a paper band coil into turn-up machines are spatially inefficient and may cause significant problems in application. In contrast, this pre-loaded, single-use box is an adaptable and efficient way to feed paper band coil into a variety of turn-up machine configurations.

Abstract: A method for producing a thermoplastic combination film suitable for a composite glass pane, wherein the thermoplastic combination film includes at least one defined area, which is provided for a camera window or an HUD (head-up display) region that has a variable wedge angle, the method including providing a first thermoplastic film, producing a second thermoplastic film with a variable wedge angle, wherein the three-dimensional shape of second thermoplastic film is obtained by molding on a mold, and joining together the first thermoplastic film and the second thermoplastic film.

Abstract: A Thermal Bonding Method and Apparatus to thermally bond sheets of fill in a cooling tower fill pack. The apparatus creates a hemispherical joint extending through two fill sheets to provide a substantial joint between said sheets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for joining a metal member and a thermosetting resin member together with a thermoplastic resin interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A system for producing at least one structural thermoplastic part, said structural thermoplastic part being formed from a rough part comprising reinforcing fibres immersed in a thermoplastic matrix, the structural thermoplastic part to be produced comprising an outer face and an inner face, opposite the outer face, the production system comprising at least one inflatable pressure member made of a material having a thermal resistance greater than the heating temperature, the inflatable pressure member being mounted between the first counter-mould and the second mould, the inflatable pressure member being configured to develop between the deflated idle state and an inflated state to flatten the rough part between the imprint of the first mould and the imprint of the first counter-mould so as to consolidate the rough part and to form the structural thermoplastic part.

Abstract: A structure includes a reinforcing member made up of reinforcing fibers that are impregnated with a resin. The reinforcing member includes a first region and a second region. The first region is formed by irradiating the reinforcing fibers with plasma. The second region is formed by irradiating the reinforcing fibers with a smaller amount of the plasma than the first region. The reinforcing member is provided such that the first region is positioned in a location where more strength is required than the second region.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high loading electrode, which prevents the phenomenon of the binder being lifted, does not cause drying of the electrode slurry, and does not cause damage of the electrode layer and reduction of the electrode strength at the corners in the punching is provided. The method of manufacturing the high loading electrode includes applying an electrode slurry on a release film to thereby produce an electrode layer having the release film attached thereto, punching the electrode layer having the release film attached thereto to provide a plurality of punched electrode layers, each punched electrode layer having a size of a unit electrode, separating and removing the release film from the punched electrode layers, and stacking and rolling at least two punched electrode layers on a current collector.

Abstract: A method for correcting non-rigid thin-walled tubular elements having geometric deficiencies, wherein, following correction, the tubular elements may perform over a wide range of pressure and temperatures, for example as a rocket motor beaker, from about ?70 C to about 1000 C. Correction is required to remove asperities, maximize cylindricity, squaring a forward end wall and a rearward end wall, so that the forward end wall of the tube product may be fitted, bonded and sealed to a circular planar element using a labyrinth-joint closure. The method provides uniformity so that both the tubular elements and the circular planar elements are interchangeably uniform in size, shape and performance, and may be readily assembled into non-rigid thin-walled tube products.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to separating parts (e.g., sliders and/or row bars) from an adhesive and carrier during the manufacture of parts to be used in a data storage device such as a hard disc drive.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a part includes stacking sheets of fusible material to form a stack. The method also includes directing a laser beam through at least one sheet of the stack. The method also includes transferring energy from the laser beam to multiple locations on at least one interface between adjacent sheets of the stack, according to a predetermined pattern corresponding with a design of the part, to form corresponding multiple molten regions. The molten regions are conjoined together to form a fused portion of the adjacent sheets. The fused portion of the adjacent sheets defines the part.