A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.

An injection mold for producing a sprinkler head part and related injection molding methods are described. The sprinkler head part includes a first, second, third and fourth mold portions. The first and second mold portions include first and second shaping elements structured to cooperatively form a body including a substantially cylindrical portion and a substantially planar portion, and two frame arms extending from the substantially planar portion of the body. The third mold portion includes a shaping element structured to form an orifice in the body of the sprinkler head. The fourth mold portion includes a shaping element structured to form a cross member connecting the two frame arms. The injection methods include injecting a composite material in molten form into the mold to form the molded sprinkler head part. The composite material includes thermoplastic polymeric resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers dispersed in the resin.

A guide pin made of a heat-resistant hard material and a sliding member made of an insulating synthetic resin material are integrated. An inserted portion and an extended portion are provided in the sliding member. The thickness of the extended portion is set to be thinner than the thickness of the inserted portion. An air passage is formed in the extended portion thereby forming a thin-wall deformable portion. The surface of the thin-wall deformable portion is configured to bulge toward the air passage side when the extended portion is thermally expanded.

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.

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 method for the production of an elastic laminate, with the following steps in a production line: coextrudeing a first web of elastic film with at least three layers, with at least two different polymer materials, to feed contemporaneously said coextruded first elastic film web and two second nonwoven webs to a thermal, binding calender, wherein the first elastic film web is arranged between said two second nonwoven webs when entering the calender; wherein said first elastic film web, during the movement from the coextrusion step to the thermal binding step, passes from a melted state, to a solidified and cold state when entering the calender, to join, through spot welding in said calender, said second nonwoven webs with respective opposite outer layers of said first elastic film web, thus producing an intermediate web, to stretch mechanically said intermediate web according to a direction transverse to the same web.

A method for the production of an elastic laminate, with the following steps in a production line: coextrudeing a first web of elastic film with at least three layers, with at least two different polymer materials, to feed contemporaneously said coextruded first elastic film web and two second nonwoven webs to a thermal, binding calender, wherein the first elastic film web is arranged between said two second nonwoven webs when entering the calender; wherein said first elastic film web, during the movement from the coextrusion step to the thermal binding step, passes from a melted state, to a solidified and cold state when entering the calender, to join, through spot welding in said calender, said second nonwoven webs with respective opposite outer layers of said first elastic film web, thus producing an intermediate web, to stretch mechanically said intermediate web according to a direction transverse to the same web.

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on a first object in an opening provided on a second object. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. During the step of inserting the insert portion in the opening and/or during anchorage a clamping force is applied to opposing surfaces of the second object to prevent the second object from cracking or bulging.