A vehicle structural element made of plastic has at least one carbon filler reinforced region and at least one fiberglass reinforced region. In a method for producing the vehicle structural element, a pre-heated carbon fiber reinforced region and a pre-heated fiberglass reinforced region are placed in a press and shaped.

An aircraft skin panel includes a laminated composite layer and a ground plane coupled to the composite layer, wherein the ground plane is an electrically conductive elastic thermoplastic.

A thermal/acoustic insulation product, such as for an aircraft, comprising a block of flexible, open-celled, cellular foam having a predefined shape and having a thermoformed amorphous film covering that completely envelops the foam block. A process for making the insulation product includes first cutting the block of foam to a predefined shape, such as a shape suitable for placement in an area of an aircraft in need of insulation. Then, a first sheet of film is heated to its melt point and conformed to a first surface area of the block, and a second sheet of film is heated to its melt point and conformed to a second surface area of the block, wherein the first film and the second film are joined to one another at one or more seams. The insulation product may then be installed in an aircraft.

A method of manufacturing a thermoplastic panel may comprise: laying up a panel preform within a consolidation assembly, the panel preform comprising a plurality of plies of material comprising thermoplastic resin and fiber; generating, via a hot bond unit, a vacuum environment within the consolidation assembly; and heating, via the hot bond unit and through a heated blanket within the consolidation assembly, the panel preform.

A modular tooling arrangement includes a base member comprising a planar working surface, a frame circumscribing a first cavity at least partially defined by the planar working surface, and a plurality of plates configured to be received in the first cavity for forming a second cavity of a desired shape and size. The plurality of plates at least partially define the second cavity configured to receive a work piece. The plurality of plates may be replaced with plates of various sizes to vary at least one of the size and shape of the second cavity.

Apparatus (10) for vertical (72) slip forming of concrete walls and columns (55). The apparatus comprises an attachment portion (23) for a frame with a slipform assembly inside comprising an extrusion form providing side walls defining a cavity and actuators (20) to adjust the position of the side walls forms essentially arranged along the longitudinal axis of the slipform assembly. A concrete supply (45) is connected with the slipform assembly for delivering concrete (52, 53, 54) to that cavity through the top open surface. A mechanism (20) is provided for vertically displacing (72) that slipform assembly incrementally relative to the frame. Thus, a concrete structure (55) having a vertical orientation is continuously cast. The actuators (20) adjust the position of the side walls during the incremental vertical movement (72) of the slipform assembly to create new forms for a column or wall with variable diameter, variable form and/or twisted.

A method for repairing a sandwich composite structure comprising a pinned foam core. In the sub-region in which the pinned foam core is damaged, the at least one upper or lower cover layer is removed as far as the pinned foam. The pinned foam core is removed. A pinned replacement foam core is inserted, the pinned replacement foam core being impregnated with a resin. An upper or lower replacement cover layer is applied. The pinned replacement foam core and optionally the upper or lower replacement cover layer are cured.

In one aspect of the present subject matter, a method of forming a linear panel includes drawing a multi-layer panel material assembly having differing inner and outer material layers along a processing path. The method also includes heating the panel material assembly. In addition, the method includes forming the heated panel material assembly into a desired shape as the assembly is drawn along the processing path. Additionally, in another aspect of the present subject matter, a linear panel includes a body formed from a multi-layer panel material assembly having differing inner and outer material layers.

A method of making a composite panel configured for use with a flooring assembly of a trailer includes providing a wood substrate, making an uncured fiber-reinforced coating, and applying the uncured fiber-reinforced coating onto a surface of the wood substrate. The method further includes curing the uncured fiber-reinforced coating after applying the uncured fiber-reinforced coating onto the surface of the wood substrate.

A composite stiffener for a stiffener reinforced panel is disclosed. The stiffener has a longitudinal direction and a run-out region which terminates at an end of the stiffener. The stiffener also has a constant section region inboard of the run-out region in the longitudinal direction and having a constant cross section transverse to the longitudinal direction with a crown between adjacent foot portions. The run-out region has a changing cross section transverse to the longitudinal direction with a crown between adjacent foot portions and the crown reduces in height towards the end of the stiffener forming a ramp. The composite stiffener includes a number of blankets of non-crimp fabric layers.