Mechanically attaching articles made from composites has problems due to the difference in properties of the composite in the x, y planar direction and the z perpendicular direction, this results in different properties between the composite and the attachment member such as differences in coefficients of thermal expansion which can weaken the joint further leading to differences in moisture uptake which can further reduce the strength and robustness of the joint. The invention relates to the selection of the position of a joint in order to reduce such problems and to operating the moulding process in a way that improves the provision of mechanical attachments such as bolt holes.

An automatic welding machine, comprising a supporting frame and a tensioning device for reversibly joining at least two opposing booms to one another and applying a tension force between these, having an open position in which the opposing booms are separated from one another by a gap and a closed position in which the opposing booms are joined to one another and braced with respect to one another. One boom is mounted in a torsion-proof manner on the tensioning device and is pivotable in relation to the other boom and can be moved out of the open position into the closed position by the pivoting of the tensioning device. The tension force is generated by way of a spring-loaded element disposed on the tensioning device, wherein the spring-loaded element, at one end, is rigidly connected to a supporting element of the tensioning device and, at the other end, is pivotably mounted on the supporting frame by way of a double swivel joint, and the spring-loaded element is tensioned by the pivoting of the double swivel joint out of the open position into the closed position, whereby a torque is applied onto the pivotable boom.

An automatic welding machine for lap welding the edges of plastic webs, comprising a movable supporting frame, a heating device for partially melting the plastic webs, at least two opposing, counter-rotating pressing rollers and/or advancing rollers, at least one of which being driven, and at least one driving device comprising a drive motor and at least one gearbox for driving the pressing and/or advancing rollers, wherein the pressing rollers and/or advancing rollers are driven by the driving device by way of at least one flexible shaft. Furthermore, the gearbox can be implemented as a worm gear mechanism comprising a worm that is seated directly on a motor shaft of the drive motor and two counter-rotating worm gears driven by the worm.

A method for assembling a box structure includes elementary parts assembled along an understructure of stiffeners and skins. The understructure and skins are made of composite material with a polymer matrix. The method includes sizing the box structure for the loads to which it is subjected and for a glued assembly. A map of the loads on the structure is obtained and a first load limit is defined depending on the probability of the structure being damaged. The understructure and the skins are assembled by gluing them. An additional layer is applied that covers the assembled elementary parts to areas of the assembled box structure where the first load limit is reached.

A method for assembling a box structure includes elementary parts assembled along an understructure of stiffeners and skins. The understructure and skins are made of composite material with a polymer matrix. The method includes sizing the box structure for the loads to which it is subjected and for a glued assembly. A map of the loads on the structure is obtained and a first load limit is defined depending on the probability of the structure being damaged. The understructure and the skins are assembled by gluing them. An additional layer is applied that covers the assembled elementary parts to areas of the assembled box structure where the first load limit is reached.

A rotational driving force transmission mechanism includes a cylindrical shaft made of fiber reinforced plastic, and a first constant velocity joint. The shaft is joined to the first constant velocity joint via a metallic intervening member which is attached to one end of the shaft in the axial direction. The intervening member includes a shaft portion and a main body portion. The shaft portion is inserted into the one end of the shaft from a distal end side thereof. The main body portion is of a bottomed tubular shape made up from a bottom part joined to a proximal end side of the shaft portion, and a tubular portion fitted over the one end of the shaft. The first constant velocity joint includes an inner ring fitted externally over the tubular portion of the intervening member.

A method for applying a thermoreactive seam tape to a seam is provided. The thermoreactive seam tape may be positioned adjacent to the seam, which may include a first fabric surface and an adjacent second fabric surface. The thermoreactive seam tape may include an interior planar surface that engages both the first fabric surface and the second fabric surface of the seam. The thermoreactive seam tape may further include an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, where the exterior surface is substantially non-planar with respect to the interior planar surface along a length of the thermoreactive seam tape. Heat and pressure may be applied to the thermoreactive seam tape, wherein the heat and the pressure facilitate adhesion of the thermoreactive seam tape to the first fabric surface and the second fabric surface of the seam.

A method for applying a thermoreactive seam tape to a seam is provided. The thermoreactive seam tape may be positioned adjacent to the seam, which may include a first fabric surface and an adjacent second fabric surface. The thermoreactive seam tape may include an interior planar surface that engages both the first fabric surface and the second fabric surface of the seam. The thermoreactive seam tape may further include an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, where the exterior surface is substantially non-planar with respect to the interior planar surface along a length of the thermoreactive seam tape. Heat and pressure may be applied to the thermoreactive seam tape, wherein the heat and the pressure facilitate adhesion of the thermoreactive seam tape to the first fabric surface and the second fabric surface of the seam.

A method of making an assembly is disclosed. According to the method, a curable sealant is applied to a metal surface of a first article, and the curable sealant and first article are stored under conditions to maintain the curable sealant in an at least partially uncured state. The method further includes contacting the curable sealant on the first article metal surface with an electrically conductive surface of a second article, and curing the curable sealant.

The invention first relates to a method for welding at least two parts comprising a thermoplastic material and having respective surfaces to be welded, comprising: inserting an insert between the surfaces to be welded of the two parts; generating heat via said insert; wherein the insert moves in relation to the parts to be welded in a welding direction. The invention also relates to an installation adapted for implementation of this method.