Abstract: A bonding tool is described that is used to secure sacrificial pads to bonding locations on a perimeter of a rib during a bonding process. In one embodiment, the bonding tool includes a base member having a rib receptacle dimensioned to receive a rib of a wing, a plurality of compression forms disposed around at least a portion of the rib receptacle and proximate to a perimeter of the rib, where the compression forms include a plurality of sacrificial pads that face towards bonding locations on the perimeter of the rib, and at least one bladder proximate to the compression forms that expands between a wall of the base member and the compression forms to press the sacrificial pads against the bonding locations while the sacrificial pads bond to the bonding locations.

Abstract: A portable air clamp for use during lamination of substrates is provided. The clamp includes a top clamp plate, a bottom clamp plate and at least one flexible, expandable tube within a housing of the clamp. The top clamp plate is adjacent to a top housing and the bottom clamp plate is adjacent to a bottom housing. An expandable tube or bladder may be disposed in the top housing or the bottom housing. The clamp may also include alignment devices and mechanisms for ensuring proper alignment of the substrates during the laminating procedure. The clamp is adapted to provide uniform pressure along the surfaces of the substrates to be laminated.

Abstract: A solution to some of the problems related to manufacturing of fiber-reinforced composite panels is to provide a vacuum bag frame assembly for use in the production of fiber-reinforced composite panels, where the vacuum bag frame assembly comprises a tubular center frame, a first vacuum bag frame holding an integrated first vacuum bag and arranged for closing against a first side of the center frame, and a second vacuum bag frame holding a second integrated vacuum bag and arranged for closing against an opposite, second side of the tubular center frame. The tubular center frame is provided with a peripherally arranged vacuum outlet external relative to the space formed between the vacuum bags, and one or more vacuum apertures directed internally relative to the space formed between the first and second vacuum bags and the tubular center frame.

Abstract: A portable air clamp for use during lamination of substrates is provided. The clamp includes a top clamp plate, a bottom clamp plate and at least one flexible, expandable tube within a housing of the clamp. The top clamp plate is adjacent to a top housing and the bottom clamp plate is adjacent to a bottom housing. An expandable tube or bladder may be disposed in the top housing or the bottom housing. The clamp may also include alignment devices and mechanisms for ensuring proper alignment of the substrates during the laminating procedure. The clamp is adapted to provide uniform pressure along the surfaces of the substrates to be laminated.

Abstract: In a belt splicer, having crossbeams straddling over and under the splice area, and having tie-bolts holding the ends of the crossbeams together, the safety system comprises link-spacers which link the crossbeams together. The link-spacers are profiled complementarily to the crossbeams, whereby the link-spacers can slide relative to the crossbeams. If a tie-bolt should fail, the cross-beams are held in place, relative to the other crossbeams, by the link-spacers.

Abstract: A hemming machine is disclosed having a base, a nest adapted to support a part to be hemmed, a nest carrier which supports the nest and in which both the nest and nest carrier are vertically movably mounted to the base. At least one hemming die is laterally slidably mounted to the base and movable between an extended position in which the die overlies a portion of the nest, and a retracted position in which the die is spaced laterally outwardly from the nest. A lock unit selectively locks the nest carrier against vertical movement relative to the base in at least one, and preferably two positions, so that, with the nest carrier locked against movement relative to the base, inflation of a hydraulic bladder sandwiched between the nest and nest carrier displaces the nest vertically upwardly from the carrier so that the part carried by the nest is compressed against the hemming dies and performs the hemming operation.

Abstract: A hemming machine is disclosed having a base, a nest adapted to support a part to be hemmed, a nest carrier which supports the nest and in which both the nest and nest carrier are vertically movably mounted to the base. At least one hemming die is laterally slidably mounted to the base and movable between an extended position in which the die overlies a portion of the nest, and a retracted position in which the die is spaced laterally outwardly from the nest. A lock unit selectively locks the nest carrier against vertical movement relative to the base in at least one, and preferably two positions, so that, with the nest carrier locked against movement relative to the base, inflation of a hydraulic bladder sandwiched between the nest and nest carrier displaces the nest vertically upwardly from the carrier so that the part carried by the nest is compressed against the hemming dies and performs the hemming operation.