The invention relates to a method for producing a support structure in the form of a hybrid component with a base structure and with at least one reinforcement structure, having the following steps: producing the at least one reinforcement structure for each base structure, wherein the at least one reinforcement structure, in particular all of the reinforcement structures, is/are made of a composite material comprising fibers and a matrix using a pultrusion and/or extrusion process, and connecting the at least one reinforcement structure to the base structure such that the at least one reinforcement structure is connected to the base structure in a connection position, and the base structure together with the at least one reinforcement structure forms the support structure.

A device for manufacturing a composite product has a first folded layer with a first and second superposed portion extending from a respective first and second free end to a first bend connecting the first and second superposed portions, and a second folded layer with a third and fourth superposed portion extending from a respective third and fourth free end to a second bend connecting the third and fourth superposed portions, wherein the first and second folded layers are laid adjacent to each other in order that the second portion of the first folded layer is in contact with the third portion of the second folded layer, the first and second folded layers being oriented with respect to each other in order to extend from a first side including the first, second, third and fourth free ends to a second side including the first and second bend.

A system for handling a first component includes: a main-device and a module-device, the module-device having a pressing section arranged to form an outer surface of the module-device, the module-device configured to releasably receive the first component, such that a connection section of the first component is attachable to the pressing section of the module-device. The module-device is releasably connected to a second component, wherein the main-device includes a grabbing unit adapted for releasably connecting the module-device, such that the pressing section is arranged to form a first outer surface section of the main-device, and wherein the main-device includes a connector for connecting to a handling-unit for arranging the main-device at the second component, such that the connection section of the first component, if attached to the pressing section of the module-device, is at least indirectly attachable to a front surface of the second component.

A method of arranging, in particular thermoplastic, semi-finished products by using an electronically controlled or regulated placing device for the semi-finished products. The method includes detecting at least one part of an outline of a semi-finished product to be placed, wherein the detecting is carried out by a detection device, determining a target position for the semi-finished product and/or for the placing device for placing the semi-finished product by matching the at least one part of the outline with a placing edge occurring on an underlying surface, and placing the semi-finished product by the placing device using the target position.

A method of manufacture of a carbon fiber article comprises providing a preform mold having a region that is shaped to compliment a shape of a preform part that is to be produced the surface being provided with at least one bore or groove that is connected to at least one conduit that passes through the mold to a manifold, laying a sheet of release material onto the surface covering at least some of the plurality of holes, applying reduced pressure to the manifold to cause the sheet to be sucked down onto the mold surface, laying carbon fiber material into the mold on top of the sheet of release material, applying an increase pressure to the manifold to push the preform free from the mold surface, and removing the preform from the mold.

A method of making a wind turbine blade is described. The blade comprises first (12) and second (14) half shells bonded together and a shear web (16) bonded inside the shells. Prior to joining the shells together, the shear web is positioned in one of the shells. A plurality of bars (70) are attached to the shear web and engaged with a plurality of mounts (80) in order to support and stabilise the shear web relative to that shell. The shells are then arranged one above the other whilst the bars remain attached to the shear web. The bars continue to support the shear web whilst the shear web is aligned with the other shell. The bars are then detached from the shear web and the shells are brought together to bond the shells to each other and to bond the shear web between the shells.

An apparatus for locating a preform on a mold includes a preform handling tool and a force sensor coupled to the preform handling tool such that the force sensor is capable of sensing forces applied to the preform during handling of the preform by the preform handling tool. The apparatus includes a control device that is arranged and operable to move the preform handling tool relative to the mold. A method of locating the preform on the mold includes picking up the preform using the preform handling tool and placing the preform in a vicinity of the mold. Positions on the mold are mapped with an edge of the preform with the aid of the force sensor. The preform is paced on the mold according to the mapped positions.

An imprinting method, which includes following steps. A workpiece is conveyed to a working region by a first conveyer unit. The workpiece is imprinted in the working region through an imprinting segment of a flexible imprinting mold film. The flexible imprinting mold film is driven by a driving roller set, such that at least another one of the imprinting segments of the flexible imprinting mold film rolled around the driving roller set is expanded from the driving roller set and moved to the working region.

Methods and apparatus for positioning a structure on a polymer layer are described. A method may involve forming a first polymer layer. The method may further involve positioning, by an apparatus, a structure on the first polymer layer, where the apparatus comprises a rod having a first end that supports the structure as the structure is being positioned and a plunger located around the first end of the rod that presses the structure onto the first polymer layer as the structure is being positioned. And the method may involve forming a second polymer layer over the first polymer layer and the structure, where the first polymer layer defines a first side of a body-mountable device and the second polymer layer defines a second side of the body-mountable device opposite the first side.

Systems and methods for introducing hook fastening elements into a mold traveling along a mold assembly line are disclosed. The system can be configured to cut hook fastening tape into strips having a predetermined length based on information received from the mold assembly line, and to drop the cut strips directly into the mold at the appropriate intervals as the mold travels along the mold assembly line. Also disclosed is a system for facilitating the continuous feeding of hook fastening tape through the system.