Provided is a pool and/or spa cover leading edge kit for use with a pool and/or spa cover system. The kit includes at least two fiber reinforced polymer composite segments capable of being axially aligned and interconnected at their abutting ends with each fiber reinforced polymer composite segment having an axial length from 3 feet to 20 feet. The kit also includes at least one joiner capable of interconnecting together a pair of abutting axially aligned fiber reinforced polymer composite segments at their axial ends to form a segmented leading edge with an overall axial length of from 6 feet to 50 feet that is capable of being coupled to a pool and/or spa cover. The at least two fiber reinforced polymer composite segments of the segmented leading edge include at least one of continuous fibers or discontinuous fibers oriented at least partially in the axial direction.

A shear web mould system for manufacturing a wind turbine component in form of an I-shaped shear web having a web body and a first web foot flange at a first end of the web body and a second web foot flange at a second end of the web body is described. The system comprises a central moulding portion for forming at least a part of the web body, a first moulding plate for forming at least a part of the first web foot flange, and a second moulding plate for forming at least a part of the second web foot flange. The angles of the first moulding plate and the second moulding plate relative to the central moulding portion are adjustable.

Systems and methods are provided for ultrasonic imaging of composite parts. One embodiment is a method that includes providing an object having multiple layers of fibers and resin, inducing ultrasonic waves at locations along the object, and attenuating the ultrasonic waves at the regions due to regions interspersed among the layers that each exhibit an elastic modulus distinct from an elastic modulus of the fibers and distinct from an elastic modulus of the matrix. The method further includes receiving the attenuated ultrasonic waves, and analyzing the attenuated ultrasonic waves to determine depths of the regions.

Described herein are methods and systems for forming composite stringer assemblies or, more specifically, for shaping composite charges while forming these stringer assemblies. A system comprises a bladder, having a bladder core, and a bladder skin. The bladder core is formed from foam. The bladder skin is formed from an elastic material and encloses the bladder core. When a composite stringer assembly is formed, the bladder is positioned over a charge base. The charge base later becomes a stringer base, such as a fuselage section or a wing skin. A charge hat is then positioned over the bladder and is conformed to the bladder. A combination of the bladder skin and the bladder core provides support during this forming operation and later while the stringer assembly is cured. In some examples, the bladder core is collapsible for the removal of the bladder from the cavity of the stringer assembly.

Described herein are methods and systems for forming composite stringer assemblies or, more specifically, for shaping composite charges while forming these stringer assemblies. A system comprises a bladder, having a bladder core, and a bladder skin. The bladder core is formed from foam. The bladder skin is formed from an elastic material and encloses the bladder core. When a composite stringer assembly is formed, the bladder is positioned over a charge base. The charge base later becomes a stringer base, such as a fuselage section or a wing skin. A charge hat is then positioned over the bladder and is conformed to the bladder. A combination of the bladder skin and the bladder core provides support during this forming operation and later while the stringer assembly is cured. In some examples, the bladder core is collapsible for the removal of the bladder from the cavity of the stringer assembly.

An assembly system includes a fixture configured to support a structure including at least one component to receive a malleable material, and a bladder system coupled to the fixture. The bladder system includes a hollowed frame having sidewalls that support a bladder disposed therein. The hollowed frame has an opening that exposes an outer portion of the bladder and is configured to guide the exposed outer portion externally from the hollowed frame toward a targeted area of the structure. In response to inflating the bladder, the outer portion of the bladder extends through the opening and applies a force against the at least one component so as to form a design feature element from the malleable material.

Provided is a method of suppressing burrs that occur during injection-molding of a polyarylene sulfide resin composition, including: adding at least 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of a carbon nanostructure to 100 parts by mass of a polyarylene sulfide resin and melt-kneading at least the carbon nanostructure and the polyarylene sulfide resin.

An adhesive injection method is for injecting an adhesive that bonds an outer plate and a reinforcing member. The reinforcing member has through holes bored through the reinforcing member in a direction intersecting a bonding surface facing the outer plate. The method includes positioning the outer plate and the reinforcing member; disposing a sealing material covering a gap between the outer plate and the reinforcing member; and injecting the adhesive into the through holes in order from one end to the other end of the bonding surface. At the injecting, while the adhesive is injected into the through hole, when the adhesive is recognized through another through hole formed adjacent to the through hole into which the adhesive is being injected, a through hole into which the adhesive is to be injected is shifted from the through hole into which the adhesive is being injected to the other through hole.

An adhesive injection method is for injecting an adhesive that bonds an outer plate and a reinforcing member. The reinforcing member has through holes bored through the reinforcing member in a direction intersecting a bonding surface facing the outer plate. The method includes positioning the outer plate and the reinforcing member; disposing a sealing material covering a gap between the outer plate and the reinforcing member; and injecting the adhesive into the through holes in order from one end to the other end of the bonding surface. At the injecting, while the adhesive is injected into the through hole, when the adhesive is recognized through another through hole formed adjacent to the through hole into which the adhesive is being injected, a through hole into which the adhesive is to be injected is shifted from the through hole into which the adhesive is being injected to the other through hole.

A vehicle trim element and method for manufacturing the trim element. The method includes the steps of: supplying a substrate comprising natural fibers and thermoplastic fibers entangled together, supplying a first layer comprising a base layer and provided with at least one reinforcing and/or decorative element, and compressing the first layer against the substrate. The method also includes, prior to compression, aligning the first layer and the substrate by aligning a first positioning element of the substrate and a second positioning element of the first layer arranged outside the at least one reinforcing and/or decorative element.