The invention relates to a frame (2) including at least one part that is intended to support a skin (3) for receiving a part made from a composite material to be polymerized in an autoclave, said skin (3) defining the general shape of said part. The frame (2) is characterized in that it is a single-piece foundry piece.

A modular system for blow molding a container. The system may include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion and second portion may each include a shell, a mold removably coupled to the shell, and a top plate. The third portion may include a base and a base mold. The molds may be 3D printed. The molds together may define a blow mold cavity. The modular system may be used at lab scale, pilot scale, or full production scale. The molds may be durable and smooth enough for full production scale. Some embodiments are directed to methods for making a modular system for blow molding a container.

A multi-component reinforced part forming device includes a forming member having a first side including a wear surface defining a part-shaped cavity, an opposing second side including a protrusion corresponding to the part-shaped cavity, and a peripheral edge. A frame extends about the peripheral edge. The frame includes a first edge arranged adjacent the wear surface and a second edge spaced from the opposing second side. The frame and the opposing second side define a void. A plurality of reinforcing members is arranged in the void. A first number of the plurality of reinforcing members supports the opposing second side and a second number of the plurality of reinforcing members supports the protrusion. An amount of reinforcing backing material is disposed in the void.

Systems and methods for forming machine with enhanced setup and health feedback. One embodiment is a forming machine including a positioning system to move a forming member and mandrel relative to one another for forming a shaped part, and a sensor disposed between the forming member and the mandrel. A forming controller obtains a first coordinate position of the forming member and the mandrel in position to produce a target baseline parameter at the sensor prior to placement of a part over the mandrel. The forming controller calculates a second coordinate position of the forming member and the mandrel for forming the part based on the first coordinate position and a thickness of the part. After placement of the part over the mandrel, the forming controller directs the positioning system to move the forming member and the mandrel to the second coordinate position to shape the part.

Systems and methods are provided for creating precursors for consolidating composite parts. One embodiment is a method for forming a metallic structure. The method includes forming a precursor for a pressure membrane that includes a contour having a linearized length corresponding with a linearized length of a surface of a forming tool. The method also includes affixing a perimeter of the precursor to a perimeter of a base member, leaving a volume between the base member and the precursor, altering a shape of the precursor at a superplastic temperature by forcing the precursor into complementary contact with the surface of the forming tool, and setting the shape of the precursor while the precursor is held in complementary contact.

A martensitic stainless steel is produced by continuously casting a melt comprising 0.0.04%-0.065% by weight C, about 0.25%-0.5% by weight Si, about 0.9%-1.2% by weight Mn, up to 0.025% P by weight, about 0.1%-0.16% by weight S, about 11.9%-12.8% by weight Cr, up to about 0.35% by weight Ni, about 0.5%-0.65% by weight Cu, about 0.03%-0.06% by weight N, about 0.02%-0.1% by weight V, and the balance being Fe with residual impurities, at a temperature between 2730° F. to 2820° F. and a specific casting speed to form a continuous strand of the alloy while not splitting or cracking. The strand is cut to length to form a slab which is descaled and hot worked during the subsequent hot working process where its thickness is reduced to form a plate of a specific gauge and width while not splitting or cracking at a segregation line through the slab and plate during hot working. Hot working of the continuously cast slab may be provided by either rolling or forging or a combination of both. The mold plate is air cooled.

A first resin member including a first contact surface and formed of laser beam-transmissive resin and a second resin member including a second contact surface, which contacts the first contact surface, and formed of laser beam-absorbing resin are arranged one upon the other. A laser welding apparatus includes a clamping unit abutting the second resin member and applying clamping force to the second resin member, a laser emitter emitting laser beam, a laser controller controlling output of the laser beam, a displacement sensor measuring displacement of the second contact surface in stacking direction of the resin members, and a control unit controlling the clamping unit to adjust the clamping force corresponding to displacement amount of the second contact surface continuously or intermittently obtained from the displacement sensor.

A first resin member including a first contact surface and formed of laser beam-transmissive resin and a second resin member including a second contact surface, which contacts the first contact surface, and formed of laser beam-absorbing resin are arranged one upon the other. A laser welding apparatus includes a clamping unit abutting the second resin member and applying clamping force to the second resin member, a laser emitter emitting laser beam, a laser controller controlling output of the laser beam, a displacement sensor measuring displacement of the second contact surface in stacking direction of the resin members, and a control unit controlling the clamping unit to adjust the clamping force corresponding to displacement amount of the second contact surface continuously or intermittently obtained from the displacement sensor.

A modular system for blow molding a container. The system may include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion and second portion may each include a shell, a mold removably coupled to the shell, and a top plate. The third portion may include a base and a base mold. The molds may be 3D printed. The molds together may define a blow mold cavity. The modular system may be used at lab scale, pilot scale, or full production scale. The molds may be durable and smooth enough for full production scale. Some embodiments are directed to methods for making a modular system for blow molding a container.

An injection molding apparatus includes: a first mounting block configured such that a fixed mold is able to be mounted thereon; a second mounting block configured such that a movable mold facing the fixed mold is able to be mounted thereon, provided with a first through hole through which a first diver is inserted, and configured to move back and forth with respect to the first mounting block along the first diver; and an injection unit configured to inject a molten material into a cavity defined by the fixed mold and the movable mold. In a state where the movable mold is mounted on the second mounting block, the second mounting block includes, between the movable mold and the first through hole, a heat conduction prevention portion configured to prevent conduction of heat from the movable mold.