The present invention relates to a method for evaluating an assembly by welding of parts made of thermoplastic materials, to a test piece and its associated uses, to an installation for implementing this method and to the associated welding system.

A method for bonding thermoplastic fiber-composite parts comprises providing surface texture on one or both parts being bonded, and/or providing both parts with engagement features. Such surface textures and engagement features have a specific geometry and fiber alignment that facilitate fibrous interlock between the two parts at a bonding interface via in-situ consolidation.

A method for bonding thermoplastic fiber-composite parts comprises providing surface texture on one or both parts being bonded, and/or providing both parts with engagement features. Such surface textures and engagement features have a specific geometry and fiber alignment that facilitate fibrous interlock between the two parts at a bonding interface via in-situ consolidation.

The present invention concerns methods of forming a three-dimensional object, and polymerizable liquids such as dual cure resins useful for making a three-dimensional object by sterolithography, such as by continuous liquid interface production (CLIP).

A system for constructing a composite structure includes a braiding machine, a winding tool and a forming machine. The composite structure is constructed of a wound tubular braiding. The wound tubular braiding is constructed of a biaxial or triaxial tubular braid of unidirectional tape.

Disclosed is a composition including at least one polymer, wherein the polymer is in the form of a powder, and wherein the polymer includes at least one thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer is selected from at least one polyaryletherketone and/or a copolymer and/or a block-copolymer and/or a polymer blend thereof, wherein the composition has a melt volume rate (MVR) of at least 5 cm.sup.3/10 min and a process of manufacturing and a use thereof. Also disclosed are a process for the manufacture of a construction element and the construction element thereof.

The use of compatible, semi-miscible or miscible polymer compositions as support structures for the 3D printing of objects, including those made from polyether-block-amide copolymers such as PEBAX® block copolymers from Arkema, polyamides such as RILSAN® polyamides from Arkema, polyether ketone ketone such as KEPSTAN® PEKK from Arkema, and fluoropolymers, such a KYNAR® PVDF from Arkema, especially objects of polyvinylidene fluoride and its copolymers. One particularly useful miscible polymer is an acrylic polymer, which is miscible with the fluoropolymer in the melt. The support structure composition provides the needed adhesion to the build plate and to the printed object and support strength during the 3D printing process, yet it is removable after the fluoropolymer object has cooled. The support polymer composition is selected to be stiff and low warping, yet flexible enough to be formed into filaments.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for cutting material used in fused deposition modeling systems are provided, which comprise a ribbon including one or more perforations. Material is passed through at least one perforation and movement of the ribbon cuts the material. A further embodiment comprises a disk including one or more blade structures, each forming at least one cavity. Material is passed through at least one cavity and a rotational movement of the disk cuts the material. A further embodiment comprises a slider-crank mechanism including a slider coupled to a set of parallel rails of a guide shaft. The slider moves along a length of the rails to cut the material. Yet another embodiment comprises one or more rotatable blade structures coupled to at least one rod. The rotation of the blade structures causes the blade structures to intersect and cut extruded material during each rotation.

A method of bonding a first object to a second object includes the steps of: providing the first object including thermoplastic material in a solid state, providing the second object including a proximal surface, applying a mechanical pressing force and a mechanical excitation capable to liquefy the thermoplastic material until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates into structures of the second object, and stopping the mechanical excitation and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and the second object. The second object has a region of low density, wherein the protrusion penetrates the region of low density at least partly before the thermoplastic material is made flowable, and wherein the first object includes a protruding portion after the step of letting the thermoplastic material resolidify, the protruding portion at least partly penetrates the region of low density.

A method of bonding a first object to a second object includes the steps of: providing the first object including thermoplastic material in a solid state, providing the second object including a proximal surface, applying a mechanical pressing force and a mechanical excitation capable to liquefy the thermoplastic material until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates into structures of the second object, and stopping the mechanical excitation and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and the second object. The second object has a region of low density, wherein the protrusion penetrates the region of low density at least partly before the thermoplastic material is made flowable, and wherein the first object includes a protruding portion after the step of letting the thermoplastic material resolidify, the protruding portion at least partly penetrates the region of low density.