An insert to a mold for a leaf spring comprises a substrate and a hole that extends through the substrate, A post protrudes from the substrate such that the insert, may be coupled to the mold. Further, the post covers the hole on a first end, so the hole is not exposed. On the other end of the hole, a thin overlay that covers the hole. Thus, during a process where resin is added to the mold, no resin enters the hole. The insert, when added to a leaf spring, offers reinforcement on areas where there is high stress. Therefore, holes may be added to a leaf spring at areas of high stress without overly weakening the leaf spring.

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 standing rigging element, in particular a mast of a vessel, that has a closed profile, and a method of manufacturing the standing rigging element. The halves of the closed profile are made of layers of structural textile saturated with an epoxy resin and have a shape corresponding to the shape of the standing rigging element, after gluing. The mast includes a layer of photovoltaic modules as one of the laminate layers, with a flat set of flexible photovoltaic cells on the outer surface. Cables collecting electricity from photovoltaic modules are routed from each photovoltaic module to common collecting cables, connected to the electric power supply installation of the vessel. The photovoltaic module includes layers of structural textile, wherein one of the layers is a layer of flexible photovoltaic cells.

A standing rigging element, in particular a mast of a vessel, that has a closed profile, and a method of manufacturing the standing rigging element. The halves of the closed profile are made of layers of structural textile saturated with an epoxy resin and have a shape corresponding to the shape of the standing rigging element, after gluing. The mast includes a layer of photovoltaic modules as one of the laminate layers, with a flat set of flexible photovoltaic cells on the outer surface. Cables collecting electricity from photovoltaic modules are routed from each photovoltaic module to common collecting cables, connected to the electric power supply installation of the vessel. The photovoltaic module includes layers of structural textile, wherein one of the layers is a layer of flexible photovoltaic cells.

A composite element and a method of manufacturing the same. The composite element comprises a first skin plate and second skin plate, which are manufactured as separate pieces and are assembled in a separate phase. At least the first skin plate comprises several protrusions on an outer surface of the plate. The protrusions serve as local stiffeners and are further stiffened by means of one or more additional composite structures arranged inside the protrusions.

A composite element and a method of manufacturing the same. The composite element comprises a first skin plate and second skin plate, which are manufactured as separate pieces and are assembled in a separate phase. At least the first skin plate comprises several protrusions on an outer surface of the plate. The protrusions serve as local stiffeners and are further stiffened by means of one or more additional composite structures arranged inside the protrusions.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method of manufacturing a composite panel comprises the steps of: a) Providing a first textile layer (10); b) Applying a first adhesive to at least a portion of the first textile layer (10); c) Placing a plurality of first profiles (11) adjacent to each other onto at least a portion of the first textile layer which has been contacted with the first adhesive, wherein each of the first profiles (11) comprises a foam core (12) and a reinforcement fabric (13) located on the foam core (12) and wherein each of the first profiles (11) is obtained by bonding a respective foam core (12) to a respective pre-formed reinforcement fabric (13); d) Applying a second adhesive to at least a portion of the reinforcement fabrics (13) of the first profiles (11); e) Placing, at least once, at least one second profile (14) between two first profiles (11); and f) Providing a second textile layer (15) onto the at least one second profile (14). The invention also relates to a composite panel obtainable by such a method and to the use of a such a composite panel for the manufacture of rotor blades for wind energy systems, of panels for reefer containers or of panels for trailers.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method of manufacturing a composite panel comprises the steps of: a) Providing a first textile layer (10); b) Applying a first adhesive to at least a portion of the first textile layer (10); c) Placing a plurality of first profiles (11) adjacent to each other onto at least a portion of the first textile layer which has been contacted with the first adhesive, wherein each of the first profiles (11) comprises a foam core (12) and a reinforcement fabric (13) located on the foam core (12) and wherein each of the first profiles (11) is obtained by bonding a respective foam core (12) to a respective pre-formed reinforcement fabric (13); d) Applying a second adhesive to at least a portion of the reinforcement fabrics (13) of the first profiles (11); e) Placing, at least once, at least one second profile (14) between two first profiles (11); and f) Providing a second textile layer (15) onto the at least one second profile (14). The invention also relates to a composite panel obtainable by such a method and to the use of a such a composite panel for the manufacture of rotor blades for wind energy systems, of panels for reefer containers or of panels for trailers.

A curable aqueous composition is disclosed comprising a carbohydrate, a crosslinking agent, and an amine base, wherein the curable aqueous composition has a pH adjusted by the amine base. Further disclosed is a method of forming a curable aqueous solution.

A curable aqueous composition is disclosed comprising a carbohydrate, a crosslinking agent, and an amine base, wherein the curable aqueous composition has a pH adjusted by the amine base. Further disclosed is a method of forming a curable aqueous solution.