An apparatus for assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly includes a base, a wick feed, a slide, and a holder. The wick feed extends toward the base and defines a channel configured to receive a wick structured to draw a nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action. The slide is configured to move along a plane on a top face of the base. The holder is disposed on the top face of the base.

The present invention relates to a modular storage system for barrels. The modular storage system includes a base rick module, an aisle rick module, and an end rick module, whereby a plurality of each module type may be assembled to construct a rickhouse.

The present invention relates to an assembly station for assembling modules used in a modular storage system for barrels. The modular storage system includes a base rick module, an aisle rick module, and an end rick module, whereby a plurality of each module type may be assembled to construct a rickhouse. The assembly station can include a vertical post assembly station, transfer rollers, a main module assembly area, dunnage supports, and a dunnage feeder conveyor system.

In one embodiment, a method includes fastening a plurality of components of a composite structure in an assembly fixture, wherein the assembly fixture comprises a plurality of strands of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, wherein the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic embedded with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is aligned within each strand of the plurality of strands, and wherein the assembly fixture further comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the assembly fixture; and heating the assembly fixture in an autoclave to bond the plurality of components of the composite structure.

In one embodiment, a method includes fastening a plurality of components of a composite structure in an assembly fixture, wherein the assembly fixture comprises a plurality of strands of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, wherein the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic embedded with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is aligned within each strand of the plurality of strands, and wherein the assembly fixture further comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the assembly fixture; and heating the assembly fixture in an autoclave to bond the plurality of components of the composite structure.

A pre-assembled female mould arrangement for being installed on a moulding machine, the pre-assembled female mould arrangement comprising: an annular forming element, extending about an axis and delimiting a forming cavity about said axis; a plate element, which delimits the forming cavity transversely to said axis; a peripheral annular component that surrounds at least partially the annular forming element; a supporting base;
a fastening element which is so mounted as to render the annular forming element fixed relative to the plate element.

A pre-assembled female mould arrangement for being installed on a moulding machine, the pre-assembled female mould arrangement comprising: an annular forming element, extending about an axis and delimiting a forming cavity about said axis; a plate element, which delimits the forming cavity transversely to said axis; a peripheral annular component that surrounds at least partially the annular forming element; a supporting base;
a fastening element which is so mounted as to render the annular forming element fixed relative to the plate element.

To provide a clamping mechanism, and an apparatus and a method for manufacturing joined object, all of which allow, with a simple configuration, clamping of clamp objects having sizes different from each other, stably at their positions. A clamping mechanism 10 includes a plurality of clamp claws 11 configured to clamp an object S to be clamped; a plurality of support shafts 16 configured to pivotally support a corresponding clamp claw 11, wherein the corresponding clamp claw 11 pivots around the support shaft 16 for opening or closing movement; and a mover apparatus 12 configured to cause the clamp claw 11 to perform the opening or closing movement. A joined object manufacturing apparatus includes the clamping mechanism 10, a holder configured to hold an object to be joined, and a joining apparatus configured to join the object S clamped by the clamping mechanism 10 and the object to be joined that is held by the holder. A method for manufacturing a joined object includes causing the clamping mechanism 10 to clamp the object S by use of the joined object manufacturing apparatus, causing the holder to hold the object to be joined, and joining the both.

An insertion system includes an insertion device including a body defining a longitudinal axis, the body including a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cylindrical opening through the body, the body having a first body portion and a second body portion formed by separating the body along the longitudinal axis, an effector configured to interface with the insertion device, the effector having an effector body, a first mechanism coupled to the effector body and coupled to the first body portion of the insertion device, and a second mechanism coupled to the effector body and coupled to the second body portion of the insertion device, and an insertion mechanism coupled with the effector body. The insertion mechanism enables a force application at a position offset from the insertion device.

An insertion system includes an insertion device including a body defining a longitudinal axis, the body including a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cylindrical opening through the body, the body having a first body portion and a second body portion formed by separating the body along the longitudinal axis, an effector configured to interface with the insertion device, the effector having an effector body, a first mechanism coupled to the effector body and coupled to the first body portion of the insertion device, and a second mechanism coupled to the effector body and coupled to the second body portion of the insertion device, and an insertion mechanism coupled with the effector body. The insertion mechanism enables a force application at a position offset from the insertion device.