The insert is metallic and has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the insert comprising an outer wall of a first retaining feature; and an undercut shape formed exterior to the outer wall of the first retaining feature such that there is a groove between the outer wall of the first retaining feature and the undercut shape. A composite component having a second CTE different from the first CTE, wherein the insert including the groove is at least partially within the composite component when the composite component is being formed, such that the difference in the first CTE and the second CTE causes the groove between the outer wall of the first retaining feature and the undercut shape of the insert to contract about the composite component to provide a compression to a portion of the composite component within the groove.

A method for fabrication of a wind turbine blade includes providing a plug to define a mold, the plug including at least one female surface feature formed therein. Forming a mold, the mold configured for forming a wind turbine blade surface and having a male surface feature(s) corresponding to the at least one female surface feature of the plug. Forming a wind turbine blade surface within the mold, the wind turbine blade surface having a female surface feature(s) corresponding to the male surface feature(s) of the mold. Incorporating at least one optical marker within the female surface feature of the wind turbine blade surface. Providing predetermined optical marker location(s) associated with the wind turbine blade surface. Projecting at least one optical beam directed towards at least one optical marker. Receiving at least one reflective beam from the at least one optical marker to identify the location of the optical marker disposed on the wind turbine blade surface; and comparing predetermined optical marker location(s) to the identified optical marker location.

A method of reinforcing thermoplastic polymer provides an Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic panel, a thermoforming machine, a quantity of cleaning agent, an enclosed chamber, and a quantity of resin. First, the ABS plastic panel is first shaped into a desired body through the thermoforming machine. Unwanted particulates are then removed from the desired body with the quantity of cleaning agent. The desired body is then heated to a resin-bonding temperature with the enclosed chamber that houses heaters. The quantity of resin is then layered as at least one reinforcement coating onto the desired body. Access material is then trimmed and cleaned from the desired body as the final step.

A composite structure (10) including a fiber injection molded portion (14); an insert material (16); and an optional outer layer (12), where the fiber injection molded portion (14) at least partially surrounds the insert material (16). The present teachings also contemplate a method of forming the composite structure (10), including positioning the insert material (16) into a mold and injecting fibers into the mold by a fiber injection molding process or blow molding process.

A composite structure (10) including a fiber injection molded portion (14); an insert material (16); and an optional outer layer (12), where the fiber injection molded portion (14) at least partially surrounds the insert material (16). The present teachings also contemplate a method of forming the composite structure (10), including positioning the insert material (16) into a mold and injecting fibers into the mold by a fiber injection molding process or blow molding process.

The present invention relates to method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade (10) the method comprising the steps of providing a first shell half (61) and a second shell half (62), providing a shear web (64) having a first edge (65) and an opposing second edge (66), and attaching the first edge (65) of the shear web (64) to an inner surface (67) of the first shell half (61). One or more guide members (70) are mounted onto an inner surface (68) of the second shell half (62) for guiding the shear web, each guide member comprising a hollow body (71) and a guiding surface (72).

A method for manufacturing a shell includes providing a mold of the shell. The method also includes forming one or more first skins on the mold. Further, the method includes securing at least one three-dimensional (3-D) grid structure onto an inner surface of the one or more first skins. Thus, the method also includes securing one or more reinforcing members to one or more locations of the grid structure so as to locally increase a stiffness of the shell at the one or more locations by creating one or more localized sandwich structures with the grid structure.

Provided is a system and method for securing a seal between a thermoplastic liner and a metal boss for a composite cylinder. A metal boss can be integrated with a thermoplastic liner during a molding process. A bushing can be inserted into the metal boss and coupled thereto via threading. The bushing can further include a relief space region having a sidewall that is deformed from a first position to a second position in order to decrease a distance of the metal boss to the sidewall of the bushing, wherein the decrease provides a seal between the metal boss and the thermoplastic liner.

In order to optimize a method for stiffening a metal component by pressing a fiber-reinforced plastic insert onto the metal component in such a way that the method can be integrated into the serial production of the car body, it is proposed that the fiber-reinforced plastic insert be picked up by means of a robot-controlled application head and pressed onto the metal component.

A composite fiber component for a rotor blade of a wind power plant including a first sandwich core and a second sandwich core arranged next to each other, each having an inside facing a rotor blade interior and an outside facing a rotor blade exterior. A first fiber-containing laminate layer is arranged on the inside of the first sandwich core and on the outside of the second sandwich core. A second fiber-containing laminate layer is arranged on the outside of the first sandwich core and on the outside of the second sandwich core. And, a third fiber-containing laminate layer is arranged on the inside of the first sandwich core and on the inside of the second sandwich core. Also disclosed is a rotor blade for a wind power plant having a composite fiber component as disclosed.