B29C51/12

Apparatus for forming a contoured hat stiffener

A flexible punch and die are used to form a flat composite laminate charge into a stiffener having a desired cross sectional shape. A desired contour is formed in the stiffener by bending the punch and die. Ply wrinkling is avoided during contouring by maintaining those portions of the stiffener subject to wrinkling in tension as the contouring is being performed. Bridging of the plies during the contouring process is avoided by first contouring those sections of the stiffener that are subject to wrinkling, and then contouring the remaining sections of the stiffener.

Surface protection method and surface decoration method for body to be coated

[Problem] To suppress changes in the recess depth and shape of a three-dimensional molded shape, and to form a uniform protective layer or ornamental layer along the surface of the molded shape. Also, to provide uniform application to the entire irregularly-formed surface and to suppress air pockets and partial defects of bonding. [Solution] In an adherend W having a three-dimensional molded portion in which a plurality of concavities and/or convexities are molded in a regular arrangement, a thermoplastic coating film larger than the area of an adhesion region is integrally adhered by a three dimensional decorative molding procedure in a predetermined adhesion region that includes the three-dimensional molded portion. The predetermined adhesion region includes all of the three-dimensional molded portion and covers more than half the perimeter of the adherend W in center cross-sectional view.

Surface protection method and surface decoration method for body to be coated

[Problem] To suppress changes in the recess depth and shape of a three-dimensional molded shape, and to form a uniform protective layer or ornamental layer along the surface of the molded shape. Also, to provide uniform application to the entire irregularly-formed surface and to suppress air pockets and partial defects of bonding. [Solution] In an adherend W having a three-dimensional molded portion in which a plurality of concavities and/or convexities are molded in a regular arrangement, a thermoplastic coating film larger than the area of an adhesion region is integrally adhered by a three dimensional decorative molding procedure in a predetermined adhesion region that includes the three-dimensional molded portion. The predetermined adhesion region includes all of the three-dimensional molded portion and covers more than half the perimeter of the adherend W in center cross-sectional view.

HOT STAMPING APPARATUS AND HOT STAMPING METHOD
20220169069 · 2022-06-02 · ·

A hot stamping apparatus and a hot stamping method are for collectively decorating a plurality of decoration objects using a decorative sheet. In a hot stamping apparatus, an upper chamber and a lower chamber are partitioned by a partition sheet and pressing bodies, so that decorative sheet pieces can be used instead of a decorative sheet having a large area. Then, by using the decorative sheet pieces, local thermal deformation can be prevented. A usage amount of the decorative sheet can be reduced, and three-dimensional decoration can be implemented as needed on a portion requiring decoration.

HOT STAMPING APPARATUS AND HOT STAMPING METHOD
20220169069 · 2022-06-02 · ·

A hot stamping apparatus and a hot stamping method are for collectively decorating a plurality of decoration objects using a decorative sheet. In a hot stamping apparatus, an upper chamber and a lower chamber are partitioned by a partition sheet and pressing bodies, so that decorative sheet pieces can be used instead of a decorative sheet having a large area. Then, by using the decorative sheet pieces, local thermal deformation can be prevented. A usage amount of the decorative sheet can be reduced, and three-dimensional decoration can be implemented as needed on a portion requiring decoration.

Mouth Guard Having Low-Profile Printed Circuit Board For Sensing And Notification Of Impact Forces

A mouth guard senses impact forces and determines if the forces exceed an impact threshold. If so, the mouth guard notifies the user of the risk for injury by haptic feedback, vibratory feedback, and/or audible feedback. The mouth guard system may also remotely communicate the status of risk and the potential injury. The mouth guard uses a local memory device to store impact thresholds based on personal biometric information obtained from the user and compares the sensed forces relative to those threshold values. The mouth guard and its electrical components on the printed circuit board are custom manufactured for the user such that the mouth guard provides a comfortable and reliable fit, while ensuring exceptional performance.

Mouth Guard Having Low-Profile Printed Circuit Board For Sensing And Notification Of Impact Forces

A mouth guard senses impact forces and determines if the forces exceed an impact threshold. If so, the mouth guard notifies the user of the risk for injury by haptic feedback, vibratory feedback, and/or audible feedback. The mouth guard system may also remotely communicate the status of risk and the potential injury. The mouth guard uses a local memory device to store impact thresholds based on personal biometric information obtained from the user and compares the sensed forces relative to those threshold values. The mouth guard and its electrical components on the printed circuit board are custom manufactured for the user such that the mouth guard provides a comfortable and reliable fit, while ensuring exceptional performance.

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING A CURVED SURFACE FOR A FILM STRUCTURE
20230271393 · 2023-08-31 ·

A machine and method for obtaining a curved surface of a film structure that comprises a carrier layer and a functional film (212). The machine comprises an annular support member having a supporting face adapted for supporting the film structure, and an opening (10) that is covered by the film structure when said film structure is supported by the annular support member; a clamping system configured to clamp the annular support member and the film structure when supported by the annular support member; and a forming system configured to apply pressure, and preferably temperature, on the film structure so as to curve said film structure in or through the opening (10) of the annular support member. The opening (10) of the annular support member has a contour that is non-circular so that the obtained curvature of the functional film (212) corresponds to a target curvature.

Composite sidewall and cargo body having same
11338542 · 2022-05-24 · ·

A composite molded cargo body panel including a core, an interior skin secured to a first side of the core having a thickness, and exterior skin secured to a second side of the core, and a plurality of recesses. The plurality of recesses are dispersed along a first direction at intervals in the interior skin, with the core thickness at each of the plurality of recesses being reduced compared to a maximum core thickness, and each of the plurality of recesses defines a support surface. A pocket is formed in each of the plurality of recesses, with the core thickness at the pocket being less than the core thickness at each of the plurality of recesses. A plurality of logistics inserts are attached to the respective support surfaces of the plurality of recesses so that, at each of the plurality of recesses, the logistics insert extends across the pocket.

Methods for manufacturing wind turbine rotor blade components

A method for manufacturing a rotor blade component of a rotor blade includes feeding a flat sheet of material into a thermoforming system, wherein the material comprises at least one of a thermoplastic or thermoset material. The method also includes heating the flat sheet of material via the thermoforming system. Further, the method includes shaping the heated flat sheet of material via at least one roller of the thermoforming system into a desired curved shape. Moreover, the method includes dispensing the shaped sheet of material from the thermoforming system. In addition, the method includes cooling the shaped sheet of material to form the rotor blade component.