Abstract: Methods of making reinforced membrane electrode assemblies are described. Catalyst coated free standing microporous layers and reinforced membrane electrode assemblies are also described.

Abstract: A member 10 for a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes an AlN electrostatic chuck 20, a cooling plate 30, and a cooling plate-chuck bonding layer 40. The cooling plate 30 includes first to third substrates 31 to 33, a first metal bonding layer 34 between the first and second substrates 31 and 32, a second metal bonding layer 35 between the second and third substrates 32 and 33, and a refrigerant path 36. The first to third substrates 31 to 33 are formed of a dense composite material containing SiC, Ti3 SiC2, and TiC. The metal bonding layers 34 and 35 axe formed by thermal compression bonding of the substrates 31 to 33 with an Al—Si—Mg metal bonding material interposed between the first and second substrates 31 and 32 and between the second and third substrates 32 and 33.

Abstract: A device for bonding of two wafers on one joining surface V of the wafers. The device includes a pressure transfer means with a pressure surface D for applying a bond pressure to the two wafers on the pressure surface D, wherein the pressure surface D is smaller than the joining surface V. The invention also relates to a method for bonding of two wafers on one joining surface V of the two wafers, by pressure transfer means with a pressure surface D for action on the wafers (2, 3), wherein a bond pressure is applied in succession to partial sections of the joining surface V.

Abstract: A window bonding apparatus is provided. The window bonding apparatus includes a resilient display panel supporter supporting a flexible display panel thereon, a holding member supporting and squeezing inwardly opposed ends of the display panel supporter so as to attain a desired degree of curvature, a first jig disposed under the display panel supporter and having a rigid first face with which the bottom face of the display panel supporter comes into contact when pressed from above, and a second jig disposed above the display panel supporter and having a second face to which the window is releaseably attached, the second jig being movable toward the display panel, wherein the second jig is moved to the first jig to attach the window to the display panel in a manner which progressively increases contact area between the window and the display panel.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus and method are disclosed. The laminating device includes a first jig, a second jig facing the first jig, an auxiliary film fixing unit and a driving unit. A partially curved cover window is seated on the first jig. An auxiliary film and a panel member are seated on the second jig so as to be flat. The driving unit linearly moves at least one of the first and second jigs.

Abstract: A sticking apparatus including a pair of plate members sandwiching a laminate between the pair of plate members, and supporting members supporting the plate members. The supporting members supporting at least one of the plate members are located in a form of multiple dots or lines adjacent to each other at regular intervals on the plate member.

Abstract: A lamination, apparatus laminates sheet members including at least one of an electrode and a separator. The lamination apparatus includes a table on which the sheet members are laminated, a clamper that presses an assembled laminate of the sheet members laminated on the table; a clamper drive unit that horizontally-rotates and vertically-moves the clamper, a level adjuster that moves the table downward relative to the clamper according to a lamination progress of the sheet members. After a new sheet member is laminated on the assembled laminate pressed downward by the clamper, the clamper drive unit lifts up the clamper above the new sheet member while rotating the clamper and then moves the clamper downward to press the new sheet member from above. The level adjuster moves the table downward by a stroke corresponding to thickness of the number of laminated sheets of the sheet members included in the assembled laminate.

Abstract: A door pressing system for pressing interior passage doors, exterior entry doors, bi-fold doors, and/or closet doors features a multi-door pressing station including first and second presses, a loading device, and a discharging device. The pressing station is configured to alternatively move the first and second presses into operative alignment with the loading and discharging devices. The press in operative alignment delivers a pressed assembled door to the discharging device and receives an assembled door layup to be pressed from the loading device. The other press that is out of operatively alignment presses an assembled door received therein. Additional methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A combination of sheets can be combined into an ingestible unit. The individual sheets can be prepared to have one or more functionalities, such as providing a biologically active agent, disintegrating and opening the unit, controlling release of an agent, facilitating absorption from the GI tract, as well as many others. The individual sheets can be selectively identified for combining into a multifunctional ingestible unit with a random or predetermined arrangement or stacking pattern. The individual sheets can be loose in a capsule or laminated together into a stacked layered structure. The combination of sheets can be pressed, laminated, tableted, or otherwise prepared into an ingestible unit. The ingestible unit can be predetermined to be useful for administering a drug, drug combination, multi-drug regimen as well as tailored to subject-specific multi-drug therapeutic regimens. The sheets can be loaded with any type of agent ranging from drugs to anti-counterfeit agents.

Abstract: A method for enabling D2T2 printing onto non-D2T2 printable substrates uses a diffusible primer material provided on a dye-sheet or ribbon. The primer comprises a polymer, a release agent and a plasticizer. The release agent and the plasticizer are diffused into the substrate, while the polymer remains on the dye-sheet or ribbon. Printing of the primer onto the PC substrate is controlled via a computer image program corresponding to a colored image. This computer image program also controls the printing of the colored image at the primed locations. Accordingly, image-wise treatment of a plastic material via the primer selectively renders the PC substrate surface D2T2 printable at the point of personalization, providing for a 100% PC full card body having the colored image.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a process and machine for waterproofing semimanufactured footwear, clothing items, and accessories. Embodiments also provide semimanufactured products obtained with said process and/or machine. The semimanufactured product may have a three-dimensional conformation with an inner surface and an outer surface. A waterproofing sheath may be formed by superimposing two edges of a semi-permeable membrane, and welding the superimposed edges of the semi-permeable membrane to one another to form a strip and to give the waterproofing sheath a three-dimensional conformation. The semimanufactured product and three-dimensional waterproofing sheath may be arranged on a shaped support with an adhesive between the semimanufactured product and the waterproofing sheath. The semimanufactured product and/or waterproofing sheath may be pressed to bond the waterproofing sheath to the surface of the semimanufactured product.

Abstract: A method of forming a curved touch surface is disclosed. According to an embodiment, the method includes depositing a touch sensor pattern on a flexible substrate; and curving the flexible substrate, using a chuck surface supporting the flexible substrate, to conform to a shape of a curved cover surface. Then, the curved flexible substrate can be laminated or otherwise adhered to the cover surface. The flexible substrate can be a glass substrate greater than 200 ?m in thickness, and can be reduced to a desired thickness below 200 ?m after the touch sensor pattern is deposited thereon. The flexible substrate can be curved by supporting the flexible substrate on the chuck surface such that the flexible substrate conforms to a shape of the chuck surface, or forcing the flexible substrate against the cover surface, such that the flexible substrate conforms to the shape of the curved cover surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a joining method that joins a target substrate and a support substrate, wherein the method has: a joining operation that includes pressing and joining the target substrate and the support substrate by interposing an adhesive therebetween; and an adhesive removing operation that includes supplying a solvent of the adhesive to the outer adhesive that is the adhesive between the target substrate and the support substrate protruding in the joining operation from the outer lateral surface of the stacked substrate made by joining the target substrate and the support substrate, and to remove the surface of the outer adhesive so that the outer adhesive is formed at a predetermined size.

Abstract: A vehicle interior trim element has at least one substrate layer covered with a skin having an outer surface containing a plurality of asperities, regularly distributed on the outer surface. The outer surface of the skin defines an outer surface of the trim element that is visible within the vehicle interior. The trim element may be processed by applying a heat source on part of the outer surface forming a decorative area, the application of the heat source being arranged to at least reduce the height of the asperities in the decorative areas such that the decorative area has a different appearance from the rest of the outer surface.

Abstract: A method of making a construction for an indexable cutter insert, the method including providing a wafer (20) comprising ceramic material, the wafer (20) being substantially unsupported by a cemented carbide substrate and having a mean thickness of at most 2 mm; providing an insert base (30) having proximate and distal major ends (33, 34) connected by peripheral sides (36), the proximate end (33) of the insert base (30) being configured to have at least two corners (35) defined by junctions of the peripheral sides (36); the wafer (20) being configured to have at least two corners (25) corresponding to the two corners (35) of the proximate end (33) of the insert base (30); the method including bonding the wafer (20) to the proximate end (33) by means of a bond material, the corners (25) of the wafer (20) being disposed adjacent the corresponding corners (35) of the proximate end (33) to provide the construction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shaped counter top edge includes heating a sheet laminate to an elevated temperature, bending the sheet laminate to a formed laminate, and applying adhesive to at least one of the formed laminate or a substrate comprising a substrate upper face, a substrate lower face, and a substrate shaped edge positioned between the substrate upper face and the substrate lower face. The method also includes positioning the formed laminate proximate to the substrate upper face, the substrate lower face, and the substrate shaped edge, and clamping the formed laminate to the substrate upper face, the substrate lower face, and the substrate shaped edge of the substrate with a clamping press assembly until the adhesive cures to form a substrate/laminate assembly from the formed laminate and the substrate. The method further includes cutting a portion of the substrate/laminate assembly to form the shaped counter top edge.

Abstract: The method of production of a web having a tow according to the present invention has a transfer step of transferring a product form web member which is formed by a continuous web member being cut, which product form web member is configured having a plurality of fibrous members formed from tows, to a packaging step which packages the product form web member, the transfer step has a stacking step of stacking a plurality of product form web members to form a stacked member and a variation correction step of suppressing variation of bulk of the stacked member by pressing the stacked member from above the stacked member.

Abstract: A method to produce a wood-based product (10) comprises a first step in which, from a trunk (12) of wood, a plurality of sheets of wood (14) are made, a second step in which a stack or pile (15) formed by the sheets (14) disposed one on top of the other is made, and in which, between one sheet (14) and the other, a layer of adhesive material (16) is deposited, along determinate gluing planes (P), a third step in which the stack or pile (15) is subjected to compression for a determinate period of time, so as to allow the reticulation of the adhesive material and to make the sheets (14) adhere permanently to each other, and a fourth step in which the stack or pile (15) is cut along at least a plane transverse to said gluing planes (P), in order to obtain the product (10). In the second step an adhesive with a bi-component silicone base is used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for at least partially reworking or replacing a reinforcement element of a fibre composite structure. In a first method step, at least one fibre layer is arranged on a surface section of the reinforcement element and/or at least one replacement section of the reinforcement element of the same material and same layer structure is arranged on a surface reinforcement section of the fibre composite structure. In a second method step, at least a pressure mat adjusted to the contour of the reinforcement element is disposed above the at least one fibre layer and/or the at least one replacement section of the reinforcement element, wherein the at least one pressure mat is supported and fixed in a nominal position by a fixing frame adjusted to the contour of the reinforcement element. In a third method step, the at least one pressure mat is then acted upon by a pressure medium in order to press the same against the reinforcement element and the fixing frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fabrication of composite shell elements and to the assembly of large scale structures comprising such composite shell elements are provided. The composite shell elements comprise two regions in which the resin is cured to different levels. As a consequence, the flexibility of the first region is greater than the flexibility of the second region. Since the first region defines a bending line, the composite shell element can be deformed along the bending line during assembly of the large scale structure. Thus, tolerances in fabrication of the composite shell elements may be compensated for in a time-efficient manner without the need for applying a shimming process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic circuit (1) consisting of a substrate (10) having a surface on which at least one component (3) covered with a lid (22) is mounted. Said component comprises first connection means (15) to be connected to second connection means (70). In said circuit (1), at least one connection passage (50) is provided that extends through the lid in order to link the first connection means (15) to the outside of the lid, which then makes it possible to link the first means to the second connection means (70) (see FIG. 2). The invention can be used for the production of microsystems that require the encapsulation of some components.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for the production of hollow bodies from thermoplastic, in particular for the production of motor vehicle tanks, in which the plastic is shaped as an extruded preform in the still plastic state or as a semi-finished product into at least two shells with the aid of at least one molding die (3), with the use of heat, and the subsequently cooled and then dimensionally stable shells are placed one on the other and joined together into an essentially closed hollow body. As molding die (3) is used at least one positive die which has essentially the contour of the shells. The shells are shaped by the plastic being laid against the positive die. The apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computing device includes a touchpad having a plurality of internal diaphragms that allow the touchpad to sense downward force inputs. The diaphragms are evenly glued about their circumferential edge portions to an internal flat surface by way of a gimbal press. The gimbal press can include a force delivery component coupled to an upper plate having an internal depression, a lower plate having a ball bearing that accepts force from the upper plate via the internal depression, a flexible ring member, and a compliant annular component. Both plates have a plurality of interlocking features with grooves extending therethrough that accept the flexible ring member. Force is evenly distributed to the diaphragm via a gimbal effect at the ball bearing, and the flexible ring member centers the upper and lower plates with respect to each other while permitting some relative tilt and rotation between the plates.

Abstract: Individual layers of a high gradient insulator (HGI) are first pre-cut to their final dimensions. The pre-cut layers are then stacked to form an assembly that is subsequently pressed into an HGI unit with the desired dimension. The individual layers are stacked, and alignment is maintained, using a sacrificial alignment tube that is removed after the stack is hot pressed. The HGI's are used as high voltage vacuum insulators in energy storage and transmission structures or devices, e.g. in particle accelerators and pulsed power systems.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal pressure welding apparatus for the waist of incontinent pants and training pants and a thermal pressure welding method. The apparatus can thermal pressure weld the waist of incontinent pants and training pants consists of multiple layers of non-woven fabric in a fast, accurate and secure manner. An upper synchronous transmission mechanism and a lower synchronous transmission mechanism are disposed vertically opposed, by means of a shaft, on a side of a vertical frame. The upper synchronous transmission surface of the upper synchronous transmission mechanism and the synchronous transmission surface of the lower synchronous transmission mechanism are opposed. A plurality of toothed pressing blocks are spacedly opposed on the upper synchronous transmission surface and the lower synchronous transmission surface respectively.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: Provided is an assembly system for assembling a double-side adhesive onto an electronic device. The assembly system includes a supporting portion and a pushing portion. The supporting portion includes a supporting surface. The supporting surface defines a cavity for receiving the electronic device. The pushing portion is supported on the supporting surface, and includes a pushing surface opposite to the supporting surface. A projection perpendicularly extends downward from the pushing surface. An elastic member is positioned on the projection. The distance between the supporting surface and the pushing surface equals to an elastic deformation value of the elastic member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated decorative plate comprising a core made of a fiber or particle material, a resinous intermediate layer on at least one side of the core, a decorative layer not impregnated with resin and having a graphic image of the surface of the imitated material, and a transparent core layer, into which the relief-like reproduction of the surface structure of the imitated material is stamped. The intermediate layer is made of liquid glue, curable by pressure and/or heat, that is applied to the core.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a composite component reinforced by stiffening elements. Composite component is produced by the inside gluing of a monolithic component to a multiplicity of stiffening elements by means of an adhesive suitable for this particular application. Stiffening elements are formed with a fiber reinforced, amorphous thermoplastic material. Monolithic component of composite component consists of a fiber reinforced duroplastic material—for example a composite epoxy matrix—in which are embedded, for reinforcement, carbon fibers, basalt fibers, natural fibers, ceramic fibers, Aramide® fibers, Kevlar® fibers or any combination thereof. Monolithic component is glued to thermoplastic stiffening elements by an adhesive under the influence of pressure and temperature. Here a tolerance compensation is carried out essentially by stiffening elements, if necessary being plastically deformed, so that high dimensional stability is achieved.

Abstract: A heat transfer sheet adhering apparatus, for adhering a heat transfer sheet to a ring-shaped member adapted to be used in a substrate processing apparatus, includes a heat transfer sheet mounting part configured to mount the heat transfer sheet thereon; a ring-shaped member supporting part configured to support the ring-shaped member; and a vertically movable pressing part configured to press the ring-shaped member supported by the ring-shaped member supporting part against the heat transfer sheet mounted on the heat transfer sheet mounting part. The pressing part is configured to press the ring-shaped member gradually from an inner peripheral side to an outer peripheral side of the ring-shaped member or from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the ring-shaped member.

Abstract: Various fastening tape closure assemblies are described. The closure tapes are useful in the manufacture of disposable articles, and particularly disposable diapers. The closure tapes generally include a fastening tape and a release tape that at least partially covers the fastening tape during storage and transport of the tape and/or the disposable article. The release tapes include a layer of adhesive for bonding to a region of a diaper. The adhesive layer is in a patterned configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for welding a stiffener to a skin. The stiffener has a stiffener foot with a bearing surface parallel to the skin surface and a stiffener flange projecting away from the plane of the bearing surface. The device includes a metallic support includes a seating surface matching the shape of the receiving side; a groove which accommodates a flange of the stiffener inserted in the groove; an insulative supporting structure for positioning a bearing surface against the receiving side; and a conformal panel for applying pressure forcing said bearing surface against said receiving side. A heater temporarily raises the temperature of bearing surface of the stiffener and the adjacent receiving side of the skin to above the melting point of the matrix when pressure is applied thereby welding the stiffener to the skin.

Abstract: A panel includes a fiberglass substrate encapsulating an aesthetic material. The fiberglass substrate and the aesthetic material are both impregnated with resin to form the solid-core of the panel. The solid-core panel can be manufactured by arranging multiple layers of a fiberglass material between multiple plates, interleaving aesthetic material between at least two of the layers of fiberglass material, applying resin to the multiple layers of fiberglass material and the aesthetic material, and then allowing the combination of the resin, multiple layers of fiberglass material, and the aesthetic material to cure between the plates, forming a solid-core panel encapsulating the aesthetic material.

Abstract: A bonding apparatus and method holds first and second bodies peripherally, one above the other, on respective shelves. A lower heat-transfer body is configured to lift the first body from below and press the first and second bodies against an upper heat-transfer body to enable bonding between the first and second bodies.

Abstract: A method for making an electrostrictive composite includes the following steps. Carbon nanotubes and a first polymer precursor are mixed. The first carbon nanotubes and the polymer precursor are polymerized to obtain a first material layer. A second material layer is applied to the first material layer, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first material layer is different from the thermal expansion coefficient of the second material layer.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrical insulation material includes the steps: providing a liquid-crystalline polymer; shaping the liquid-crystalline polymer to give an insulation film in such a manner that the mesophase of the liquid-crystalline polymer is present in the insulation film, whereby the molecules of the polymer are aligned in a preferred direction in the insulation film; laminating a plurality of insulation films to give a layer complex forming the electrical insulation material, wherein the layer complex has at least one insulation film which differs in the preferred direction of the molecules thereof from the preferred direction of the molecules of another insulation film.

Abstract: In a dry friction material and a method for manufacturing the same, to maintain a content of glass fibers low on a whole dry friction material to apply a hole boring for caulking assembly with high strength and high stiffness at a part to be subjected to the hole boring. A part (glass-rich part 30) to be subjected to the hole boring is pressed at a higher pressure than a part not to be subjected to the hole boring in a press-shaping step by providing a rib 21 protruding toward a shaped body side on a part of press dies 20A, 20B corresponding to the part to be subjected to the hole boring. Thereby, only a compounded rubber 4 is pushed outward and only the glass-rich part 30 has an increase in a content of glass fibers 3. Thereby, strength that can withstand the hole boring is obtained. Accordingly, a dry friction material 1 with a bored hole 2 bored without generating a failure in the hole boring can be manufactured.

Abstract: An electronic component mounting apparatus is capable of significantly reducing a warpage amount of an electronic component warped in a case of thermocompression bonding using a conductive adhesive agent having conductive particles and a low minimum melt viscosity where a thin electronic component having a thickness smaller than or equal to 200 ?m is mounted on a wiring board. In the mounting apparatus, an anisotropic conductive adhesive film having the minimum melt viscosity lower than or equal to 1.0×103 Pa·s is placed on a wiring board placed on a base, and an IC chip having a thickness smaller than or equal to 200 ?m is placed on the anisotropic conductive adhesive film. In the mounting apparatus, the IC chip is pressurized by a thermocompression bonding head having a compression bonding portion made of elastomer having a rubber hardness lower than or equal to 60, so that the IC chip is bonded onto the wiring board by thermocompression.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to manufacture shaped counter top edges for custom counter tops. Sheet laminate is heated, clamped to a post form mold with clamping screws, and then formed around the post form mold into formed laminate. The formed laminate is then bonded to a substrate using adhesive and a bonding fixture having a plurality of bonding presses. Each bonding press has a pair of mutually opposed bonding press molds, each bonding press mold having a bonding press mold groove sized to admit a formed laminate around an edge of the substrate. Clamps hold the bonding press molds together, thereby urging the formed laminate into intimate contact with the substrate until the adhesive cures. A counter top edge is cut from the resulting substrate/laminate assembly at an edge first cut angle and an edge second cut angle to provide a neat and aesthetically pleasing installation on a counter.

Abstract: A light guide device includes a light guide plate, a diffusion layer, and a brightening layer. The light guide plate includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and diffusion pots positioned on the first surface. The diffusion layer is adhered to the second surface of the light guide plate, and includes transparent adhesive and diffusion particles scattered in the transparent adhesive. The brightening layer is adhered to the diffusion layer, and includes a micro structure formed on a surface of the brightening layer facing away from the diffusion layer. The micro structure includes a number of cutouts. A manufacturing method for the light guide device is also provided.

Abstract: Method for assembling a rotor blade for a wind turbine, wherein the rotor blade has a first half shell, a second half shell and at least one shear web running in the longitudinal direction of the rotor blade.

Abstract: In a method of producing a stabilizer for a motor vehicle, a stabilizer bearing portion of a stabilizer is chemically pre-treated by applying an adhesive. The stabilizer and two vulcanized elastomer-metal bearing half-shells are then placed in a joining apparatus for subsequent bonding of the bearing half-shells with the stabilizer bearing portion.

Abstract: A hot-press cushioning member 11a is configured so that an amount of compressed thickness deformation (a) is obtained by subtracting a compressed thickness (H2) of the hot-press cushioning member under a predetermined press-forming pressure from an initial thickness (H1), an amount of restored thickness deformation (b) is obtained by subtracting the compressed thickness (H2) from an uncompressed thickness (H3) of the hot-press cushioning member with the press-forming pressure released, and the (a:b) ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:0.8.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for gluing a friction lining to a support by means of adhesive that develops its full adhesive effect under the effect of pressure and/or temperature. The invention is characterized in that the friction lining and the support are pressed together along with the adhesive before the adhesive develops its full adhesive effect in order to glue the friction lining to the support.

Abstract: A method for making a laminate includes: extruding a core layer, and advancing the same along a processing line; advancing upper and lower metal layers, and bending the upper metal layer to form a raised bent structure; laminating the upper and lower metal layers with the core layer by passing through a nip of a pair of laminating rollers, one of which has an embossing groove that is shaped to complement the raised bent structure and that permits the raised bent structure to pass therethrough; and embossing the core layer to protrude into the raised bent structure while the core layer and the upper and lower metal layers are passed through the nip. The upper metal layer is inclined with a tangent line that passes through the nip by an angle of less than 15 degrees when at a position immediately upstream of the nip.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for the production of hollow bodies from thermoplastic, in particular for the production of motor vehicle tanks, in which the plastic is shaped as an extruded preform in the still plastic state or as a semi-finished product into at least two shells with the aid of at least one moulding die (3), with the use of heat, and the subsequently cooled and then dimensionally stable shells are placed one on the other and joined together into an essentially closed hollow body. As moulding die (3) is used at least one positive die which has essentially the contour of the shells. The shells are shaped by the plastic being laid against the positive die. The apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Thermoplastic composite laminate parts with tailored and varying thickness and/or curved sections are manufactured in a continuous process. Automated equipment or hand lay-up is used to collate parts or components into a multi-layer stack. Each stack contains all plies, including ply build-up areas, tacked in the proper location to maintain orientation and location. Some or all of the plies may be continuously fed from spools of single or multiply ply material. Ply consolidation tooling contains all necessary part features and is coordinated to the customized multiple ply stacks to form a single integrated thermoplastic composite laminate potentially having areas of differing thickness from the multiple ply stacks.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blank made from thermoplastic composite material, in which a pressure and temperature cycle is applied by pressing on top of a compacting plate that is itself on top of a stack of fibers including continuous fibers pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, which stack has been previously placed on a board with the film enveloping the stack being brought into contact with fixing blocks arranged at the periphery of the board, and by heating the stack so as to reach at least the melting temperature of the resin while leaving the film infusible and smooth, and allowing the gas(es) present in the stack to escape through at least one opening left in the enveloping film and then through at least one emerging channel formed in the compacting plate and/or in the board and/or in the fixing blocks.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, with an insulation applied to an outer side of a fuel tank container by application of foam, wherein the fuel tank container is placed into a foam-encapsulating mold and at least partially encapsulated in the foam insulation, the foam-encapsulating mold forming a first mold half and the fuel tank container forming a second mold half.