Abstract: Non-standard, resin-infused fiber bundle includes localized regions of fibers having a sub-nominal amount of polymer resin positioned along its length. These regions function as “bending regions,” where the non-standard resin-infused fiber bundle can be readily deformed by virtue of the reduced amount of resin. The bending regions segregate the non-standard resin-infused fiber bundle into what is, effectively, discrete (smaller) segments of (standard) resin-infused fiber bundle. The ability to easily manipulate the non-standard, resin-infused fiber bundle via the bending regions is useful for creating fiber-bundle-based preforms, and preform charges (assemblages of fiber-bundle-based preforms).

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium iron phosphate module having seventy-two (72) 26650 lithium iron phosphate cylindrical cells arranged in an 8S9P architecture, with the “S” being the number of supercells connected in series and the “P” being the number of cells connected in parallel. A five-layer clad material forms at least two current collector plates that are interconnected to the lithium iron phosphate cylindrical cells by a resistive welding process. The current collector plates each have a tab custom stamped on the five-layer clad material that is connected to a battery management system by running a voltage sense wire with a quick disconnect tab on the end from the battery management system to the custom stamped tab to monitor and balance the 24V output and 34Ah current of the cells in the module. At least two cell holders enclose the lithium iron phosphate cylindrical cells and the current collector plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a fiber-bundle-based preform from a preform precursor material includes a process head coupled to a robotic arm. The process head has at least two rollers, a heated region, and a cooled region. A length of preform precursor material is passed through the rollers and fixed at a first end thereof. The process head moves relative to the preform precursor material, following a path defined by the movement of the robotic head. The path comports with the desired shape of the fiber-bundle-based preform. As the process head moves, it softens a portion of the preform precursor material, which then passes through the two rollers, the combination thereof incrementally altering the shape of preform precursor material to that of the preform. After passing the rollers, the newly formed region of preform is cooled to set its shape. The process head continues to move relative to the preform precursor material until the preform is fully formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous fabrication of fiber-bundle-based and composite-tape based preforms and preform charges includes a mandrel about which a constituent material, which is maintained under tension, is wound. The tension is insufficient to fully consolidate the wound material.

Abstract: A method for rapid heat cycle compression molding comprises placing an assemblage of feed constituents in a mold, placing the mold between two hot platens of a hot press, heating the mold by pressing the two hot platens against the mold, placing the mold between two cold platens of a cold press, cooling the mold by pressing the two cold platens against the mold, and ejecting the part from the mold.

Abstract: A method for bending towpreg to yield a desired amount of axial force during bending to form a preform is provided including inserting towpreg into a bending die, applying an initial axial force to the towpreg, and moving the gripped end of the towpreg in an involute path using a cam, a cam follower and a gripper, the gripper disposed on the cam follower. Axial force between the gripped end and the stationary end of the towpreg from a point where the towpreg contacts a surface of the bending die is applied tangent to the surface of the bending die while bending the towpreg. An apparatus for bending towpreg to form a preform is provided including bending dies disposed in fixed positions, and a follower. Axial involute cam mechanism having a drive shaft, a cam, a cam follower that follows an involute path around the cam, a gripper and a clamp.

Abstract: A method for bending towpreg to yield a desired amount of axial force during bending to form a preform is provided including inserting towpreg into a bending die, applying an initial axial force to the towpreg, and moving the gripped end of the towpreg in an involute path using a cam, a cam follower and a gripper, the gripper disposed on the cam follower. Axial force between the gripped end and the stationary end of the towpreg from a point where the towpreg contacts a surface of the bending die is applied tangent to the surface of the bending die while bending the towpreg. An apparatus for bending towpreg to form a preform is provided including bending dies disposed in fixed positions, and a follower. Axial involute cam mechanism having a drive shaft, a cam, a cam follower that follows an involute path around the cam, a gripper and a clamp.

Abstract: A method for rapid heat cycle compression molding comprises placing an assemblage of feed constituents in a mold, placing the mold between two hot platens of a hot press, heating the mold by pressing the two hot platens against the mold, placing the mold between two cold platens of a cold press, cooling the mold by pressing the two cold platens against the mold, and ejecting the part from the mold.

Abstract: An e-commerce voice response determination system is provided and generally includes a server and a customer computing device. The server may determine, based on a user query, a plurality of product descriptions. The server may determine a similarity value between the user query and each of the product descriptions based on the similarity between each word of the user query and each word of the product descriptions. The server may determine the product description with the most similarity to the user query, and provide a response to the customer computing device based on that product description. In some embodiments, the server may determine whether the user query matches a predefined query. If the user query matches the predefined query, the server provides a response to the customer computing device based on a predefined response to the predefined query.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous fabrication of fiber-bundle-based and composite-tape based preforms and preform charges includes a mandrel about which a constituent material, which is maintained under tension, is wound. The tension is insufficient to fully consolidate the wound material.

Abstract: Non-standard, resin-infused fiber bundle includes localized regions of fibers having a sub-nominal amount of polymer resin positioned along its length. These regions function as “bending regions,” where the non-standard resin-infused fiber bundle can be readily deformed by virtue of the reduced amount of resin. The bending regions segregate the non-standard resin-infused fiber bundle into what is, effectively, discrete (smaller) segments of (standard) resin-infused fiber bundle. The ability to easily manipulate the non-standard, resin-infused fiber bundle via the bending regions is useful for creating fiber-bundle-based preforms, and preform charges (assemblages of fiber-bundle-based preforms).

Abstract: A bracket mechanism is configured to facilitate connection of multiple rail elements to form an elongated element to span over a work space and/or to help support a continuous integral element spanning over a work space. The bracket mechanism can be configured to help ensure the rigidity of the elongated element positioned over the work space so that the elongated element does not sag or bow downwards as it extends over the work space.

Abstract: An e-commerce voice response determination system is provided and generally includes a server and a customer computing device. The server may determine, based on a user query, a plurality of product descriptions. The server may determine a similarity value between the user query and each of the product descriptions based on the similarity between each word of the user query and each word of the product descriptions. The server may determine the product description with the most similarity to the user query, and provide a response to the customer computing device based on that product description. In some embodiments, the server may determine whether the user query matches a predefined query. If the user query matches the predefined query, the server provides a response to the customer computing device based on a predefined response to the predefined query.

Abstract: A bracket mechanism is configured to facilitate connection of multiple rail elements to form an elongated element to span over a work space and/or to help support a continuous integral element spanning over a work space. The bracket mechanism can be configured to help ensure the rigidity of the elongated element positioned over the work space so that the elongated element does not sag or bow downwards as it extends over the work space.

Abstract: A bracket mechanism is configured to facilitate connection of multiple rail elements to form an elongated element to span over a work space and/or to help support a continuous integral element spanning over a work space. The bracket mechanism can be configured to help ensure the rigidity of the elongated element positioned over the work space so that the elongated element does not sag or bow downwards as it extends over the work space.

Abstract: A bracket mechanism is configured to facilitate connection of multiple rail elements to form an elongated element to span over a work space and/or to help support a continuous integral element spanning over a work space. The bracket mechanism can be configured to help ensure the rigidity of the elongated element positioned over the work space so that the elongated element does not sag or bow downwards as it extends over the work space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a production system (1) for the series manufacture of products, comprising