Abstract: A support (100) for handling pre-formed woven fabric layers to be used for conical shell composite components or segments is described. The support comprises a shaped portion (120) having a plurality of peaks (170) and a plurality of troughs (180) extending between first and second longitudinal edges (130, 140). Each peak has a varying amplitude along its extent and is configured to maintain warp and weft fibres of the pre-formed woven fabric layers perpendicular to one another. A clamping member may be used to retain a stack of pre-formed woven fabric layers in place on the support. The support may also be used for forming non-woven fibre layers and stacks formed from such non-woven fibre layers, and, for the subsequent handling thereof.

Abstract: The databases and methods disclosed herein reduce costly dictionary access (writes and reads) by storing data directly in an index (e.g., storing literal values or taking advantage of Universally Unique Identifiers (UUIDs)), thereby saving time and memory. One example embodiment is a database that includes a dictionary and an index. The dictionary stores associations between keys and data. Each entry in the index includes a plurality of values corresponding to data. A value of the index includes either (i) a direct representation of corresponding data for certain data types, or (ii) a hash of the corresponding data for other data types. The hash is used in the dictionary as a key associated with the corresponding data.

Abstract: The databases and methods disclosed herein reduce costly dictionary access (writes and reads) by storing data directly in an index (e.g., storing literal values or taking advantage of Universally Unique Identifiers (UUIDs)), thereby saving time and memory. One example embodiment is a database that includes a dictionary and an index. The dictionary stores associations between keys and data. Each entry in the index includes a plurality of values corresponding to data. A value of the index includes either (i) a direct representation of corresponding data for certain data types, or (ii) a hash of the corresponding data for other data types. The hash is used in the dictionary as a key associated with the corresponding data.