A conductive fastener system for connecting a composite structure to a support structure includes a composite structure hole that extends through the composite structure and shares a common axis with a support structure hole that extends at least partially through the support structure. A fastener comprising a shank having an outer surface passes through the composite structure hole and at least partially through the support structure hole and provides an annular space between the outer surface of the shank and the inner surface of the composite structure hole. The annular space is filled with a conductive paste that comprises conductive particles suspended in a bonding agent.

A method of joining polymer components includes additively manufacturing first and second mating features on first and second polymer components such that a mechanical lock is created through undercut geometric features of an adhesive material when the polymer components are joined. Adhesive is added between the mating components to strengthen the joint.

The inventors have discovered that certain hot melt adhesives can be used to form a stable stacked pallet that can limit the need for additional packaging materials e.g. inter-layer and pallet wrap.

An end effector for welding composite components includes an end effector housing and a welding member mounted to the end effector housing. The end effector further includes a leading roller mounted to the end effector housing forward of the welding member and at least one follower roller mounted to the end effector housing aft of the welding member. The end effector further includes at least one first cooling air jet positioned to direct a first stream of cooling air toward the at least one follower roller.

A vibration welding device having a mechanically coupled multiple vibrator. Within this vibration welding device, the plurality of vibration units are arranged relative to an elongated tool such that the first direction of vibrations of the individual vibration units is oriented approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool such that, during a vibration welding process, two components are weldable to each other by vibrations different than a longitudinal direction of the components.

In a reinforcing system for reinforcing a cavity of a structural element, a support element is connected to the structural element in the structural element for reinforcement purposes. The support element has channels, an adhesive is disposed in the cavity between the support element and the structural element, and the adhesive can be introduced into the cavity between the support element and the structural element by means of the channels.

In a reinforcing system for reinforcing a cavity of a structural element, a support element is connected to the structural element in the structural element for reinforcement purposes. The support element has channels, an adhesive is disposed in the cavity between the support element and the structural element, and the adhesive can be introduced into the cavity between the support element and the structural element by means of the channels.

A ventilation flap arrangement, in particular for venting a motor vehicle interior, comprises one or a plurality of flexible cover flaps and a frame for holding the cover flaps, the frame having a receiving groove for a cover flap, the receiving groove being formed by two side cheeks, and the cover flap being non-detachably connected, at its longitudinal edge, with the receiving groove of the frame by embossing. This embossed connection acts upon the cover flap in a clamping manner in a longitudinal-edge clamping area thereof. In each case one or a plurality of openings are provided close to the longitudinal edge at least on one side of the longitudinal-edge clamping area of the cover flap, with the side cheek projecting therein with in each case one embossed projection without applying a clamping force.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a method of forming a molded composite member comprising the following steps, not necessarily in the order recited: selecting a mold insert having an exterior shape conforming to a shape desired to be formed in a first composite member that is pre-impregnated with thermosetting resin; screwing the mold insert into a mold; conforming a surface of the first composite member to the mold insert and mold; curing the resin in the first composite member to render the first composite member rigid and to form a shape in the first composite member corresponding to the shape of the mold insert and the mold; forming a first hole in the first composite member adjacent the shape; forming a second hole in a second member; positioning a washer in the shape in the first composite member, the washer having an exterior conforming with the shape; and extending a linear fastening member through a washer hole, the first hole in the first composite member, and the second hole in the second member.

There is provided apparatus and a method for assessing the integrity of a bonded joint and a bonded joint assembly. The assembly has a bonded joint monitored for bond integrity and comprises first (1) and second (2) components each defining a bonding surface (3,4); the joint (5) is formed between the bonding surfaces (3,4) and the first component (1) defines a passage (15) therethrough from the bonding surface to an exterior of the component. The joint (5) includes an optical fiber (11) extending along the joint (5) between the bonding surfaces, through the passage (15) and emerging from the passage (15) to the exterior of the component. The method of constructing the assembly includes the steps of passing the optical fiber (11) through the passage (15) and adhering the optical fiber (11) to the bonding surface (3) of the first component (1), thus bringing the two bonding surfaces (3,4) together and forming the bond (5).