Abstract: There is disclosed a tool (102) for forming a composite component having a curved body and an integral flange from a pre-form (200), the tool comprising: a curved body portion 104 having a lay-up surface (110); and a forming assembly (105) having a lay-up configuration and a forming configuration. The forming assembly comprises: a plurality of forming elements (106) each having a lay-up surface (120) and a primary flange-forming surface (122), the forming elements (106) being radially outwardly moveable between the lay-up configuration and the forming configuration, in which the forming elements are circumferentially spaced from one another; and a plurality of filler elements (107) each having a secondary flange-forming surface (156), the filler elements (107) being arranged to move into the circumferential gaps between the forming elements in the forming configuration so as to form a substantially continuous flange-forming surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tool (102) for forming a composite component having a curved body and an integral flange from a pre-form (200), the tool comprising: a curved body portion 104 having a lay-up surface (110); and a forming assembly (105) having a lay-up configuration and a forming configuration. The forming assembly comprises: a plurality of forming elements (106) each having a lay-up surface (120) and a primary flange-forming surface (122), the forming elements (106) being radially outwardly moveable between the lay-up configuration and the forming configuration, in which the forming elements are circumferentially spaced from one another; and a plurality of filler elements (107) each having a secondary flange-forming surface (156), the filler elements (107) being arranged to move into the circumferential gaps between the forming elements in the forming configuration so as to form a substantially continuous flange-forming surface.

Abstract: Cool Foods is a multi-functional, refrigerated food display device/design which addresses the need to have controlled temperature and humidity food environments.

Abstract: An insert for a rack system includes at least a pair of front posts, a pair of rear posts, a plurality of front elongated crossbars extending between the pair of front posts, and a pair of rear elongated crossbars extending between the pair of rears posts. The insert comprises a pair of opposing side beams, each having a front, inverted stair-shaped abutment and a rear, inverted stair-shaped abutment. The insert further comprises a pair of elongated crossbeams extending between the opposing side beams. The insert can further be arranged such that each of the elongated crossbeams has a substantially rectangular cross section. The insert can further be arranged such that each of the elongated crossbeams is angled to receive a tread of a tire.

Abstract: A tire rack includes a base having a plurality of apertures in a bottom surface, and a plurality of posts extending from a top surface of the base. Each of the plurality of posts has a reduced diameter portion having dimensions corresponding to the apertures in the bottom surface of the base. The tire rack further includes a plurality of side bars. Each side bar extending between two of the plurality of posts, and each side bar having a plurality of apertures. The tire rack also has a plurality of crossbars. Each crossbar extends between two of the plurality of side bars, wherein each crossbar has a first end removably received in an aperture of a first side bar and a second end removably received in an aperture of a second side bar. The plurality of crossbars are configured to receive a plurality of tires in an upright position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing tool (13, 14) and method for use in forming polymer matrix composite products such as carbon fiber composite products. The tool comprising a first and a second portion defining a cavity (15) therebetween in which the product is built before curing. The rigidity of the second portion (13) of the tool is selected based on the required deflection of the second portion of the tool under the curing conditions, in order to maintain pressure on the laminate during the entire cure. The second upper portion (13) is shown haring varying thicknesses (16A, 16B and 16C) which results in different rigidity of these regions.

Abstract: A method of making a composite structure (1) that comprises a curved body (5) and an integral rim (3) extending from an end of the curved body. The method comprises the steps of: forming a diaphragm pack (19) comprising a flat stack (13) of composite plies between two diaphragms (15 A, 15B), wherein each ply (L1, L2, L3) of the flat stack (13) is made up of a plurality of composite tiles (9). Each tile (9) includes at least a first portion (9A) and a second portion (9B) that have side edges of the first portion (9A) configured to abut against side edges of adjacent tiles and side edges of the second portion (9B) configured to overlap side edges of adjacent tiles. Air is evacuated from within the diaphragm pack (19) either before or after placing the diaphragm pack (19) within a double diaphragm forming apparatus comprising a hollow forming tool (23), wherein the first portion (9A) of the composite tiles (9) is supported on an upper surface (23 A) of the tool (23).

Abstract: A tire rack includes a base having a plurality of apertures in a bottom surface, and a plurality of posts extending from a top surface of the base. Each of the plurality of posts has a reduced diameter portion having dimensions corresponding to the apertures in the bottom surface of the base. The tire rack further includes a plurality of side bars. Each side bar extending between two of the plurality of posts, and each side bar having a plurality of apertures. The tire rack also has a plurality of crossbars. Each crossbar extends between two of the plurality of side bars, wherein each crossbar has a first end removably received in an aperture of a first side bar and a second end removably received in an aperture of a second side bar. The plurality of crossbars are configured to receive a plurality of tires in an upright position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing tool (13, 14) and method for use in forming polymer matrix composite products such as carbon fibre composite products. The tool comprising a first and a second portion defining a cavity (15) therebetween in which the product is built before curing. The rigidity of the second portion (13) of the tool is selected based on the required deflection of the second portion of the tool under the curing conditions, in order to maintain pressure on the laminate during the entire cure. The second upper portion (13) is shown haring varying thicknesses (16A, 16B and 16C) which results in different rigidity of these regions.

Abstract: A method of making a composite structure (1) that comprises a curved body (5) and an integral rim (3) extending from an end of the curved body. The method comprises the steps of: forming a diaphragm pack (19) comprising a flat stack (13) of composite plies between two diaphragms (15 A, 15B), wherein each ply (L1, L2, L3) of the flat stack (13) is made up of a plurality of composite tiles (9). Each tile (9) includes at least a first portion (9A) and a second portion (9B) that have side edges of the first portion (9A) configured to abut against side edges of adjacent tiles and side edges of the second portion (9B) configured to overlap side edges of adjacent tiles. Air is evacuated from within the diaphragm pack (19) either before or after placing the diaphragm pack (19) within a double diaphragm forming apparatus comprising a hollow forming tool (23), wherein the first portion (9A) of the composite tiles (9) is supported on an upper surface (23 A) of the tool (23).

Abstract: A method for forming a headliner assembly includes forming a main body having a periphery, and a shape corresponding to a desired shape of the headliner assembly; positioning the main body in a mold having a recess; closing the mold; and injecting foam into the recess to simultaneously form an energy absorbing member and join the energy absorbing member to the main body proximate the periphery of the main body.

Abstract: A method for forming a headliner assembly includes forming a main body having a periphery, and a shape corresponding to a desired shape of the headliner assembly; positioning the main body in a mold having a recess; closing the mold; and injecting foam into the recess to simultaneously form an energy absorbing member and join the energy absorbing member to the main body proximate the periphery of the main body.

Abstract: An assembly for use in bonding an trim cover to a foam pad along a pair of conveyor line in a process of a plurality of stations. A plurality of tool carriers are transported along each of the conveyor lines to each station. The tool carrier supports at least one mold assembly for bonding an air impervious adhesive film between the cover and the foam pad. A collar assembly pivotally supports a press platen above the mold assembly and provides pivotal movement between an open position spaced at a predetermined angle above the mold assembly and a closed position compressing the foam pad against the trim cover and mold assembly. The tool carrier includes a pair of vacuum inlet connectors for engagement by a vacuum snorkel to provide vacuum pressure to the mold assembly and travel with the tool carrier along the conveyor line between consecutive process stations.