An automated system and method are provided for forming composite materials.

A system is described for reinforcing a thermoplastic workpiece including a subject surface and an underlying workpiece body volume. At least one substantially linear Z-pin having proximal and distal pin ends longitudinally separated by a pin body is provided. The proximal pin end is in direct contact with the subject surface. An ultrasonic energy source applies ultrasonic energy to the Z-pin to ultrasonically heat the Z-pin and thus locally melt the workpiece material of the subject surface and/or the workpiece body to create a melted workpiece material. The proximal pin end and at least a portion of the pin body of the Z-pin are penetrated into the melted workpiece material to create an inserted Z-pin length. The inserted Z-pin length is maintained in the workpiece body volume by solidified melted workpiece material around the inserted Z-pin length to reinforce the workpiece. A method of reinforcing a workpiece is also provided.

A system is described for reinforcing a thermoplastic workpiece including a subject surface and an underlying workpiece body volume. At least one substantially linear Z-pin having proximal and distal pin ends longitudinally separated by a pin body is provided. The proximal pin end is in direct contact with the subject surface. An ultrasonic energy source applies ultrasonic energy to the Z-pin to ultrasonically heat the Z-pin and thus locally melt the workpiece material of the subject surface and/or the workpiece body to create a melted workpiece material. The proximal pin end and at least a portion of the pin body of the Z-pin are penetrated into the melted workpiece material to create an inserted Z-pin length. The inserted Z-pin length is maintained in the workpiece body volume by solidified melted workpiece material around the inserted Z-pin length to reinforce the workpiece. A method of reinforcing a workpiece is also provided.

A thermoforming system has a composite plate, a loading area in which the plate is placed, a heating area in which the plate is heated, a pressing area in which the plate is formed, and at least one mold which is located in the pressing area that applies heat and pressure to the plate so that the plate is formed. The system also includes a thermoforming area which is formed by the loading area, heating area, and the pressing area and consists of at least two different surfaces located opposite each other. A rail system is located on at least one surface in the thermoforming area and allows the plate to be conveyed within the thermoforming area.

A method for manufacturing a joined body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a joined body in which composite materials in which fibers are impregnated with resins are heated and joined to each other. The method includes: a step of aligning the composite material with each of a plurality of molding dies, heating the molding dies, and semi-curing the resins of the composite materials; and a step of joining the composite materials to each other by combining and heating the molding dies with which the composite materials are aligned after semi-curing the resins of the composite materials. The molding dies used when semi-curing the resins of the composite materials and the molding dies used when joining the composite materials to each other are the same.

A method for manufacturing a joined body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a joined body in which composite materials in which fibers are impregnated with resins are heated and joined to each other. The method includes: a step of aligning the composite material with each of a plurality of molding dies, heating the molding dies, and semi-curing the resins of the composite materials; and a step of joining the composite materials to each other by combining and heating the molding dies with which the composite materials are aligned after semi-curing the resins of the composite materials. The molding dies used when semi-curing the resins of the composite materials and the molding dies used when joining the composite materials to each other are the same.

A joined body includes: a first compact that includes a fiber-reinforced resin and a fiber exposure portion where a fiber of the fiber-reinforced resin is exposed, the fiber exposure portion being formed on at least a part of a surface of the first compact; a second compact that is joined to the first compact at the fiber exposure portion of the first compact; and a joint portion that is interposed between the fiber exposure portion of the first compact and the second compact.

A joined body includes: a first compact that includes a fiber-reinforced resin and a fiber exposure portion where a fiber of the fiber-reinforced resin is exposed, the fiber exposure portion being formed on at least a part of a surface of the first compact; a second compact that is joined to the first compact at the fiber exposure portion of the first compact; and a joint portion that is interposed between the fiber exposure portion of the first compact and the second compact.

There is provided a technique to strongly integrate a galvanized steel sheet and a resin molded article. A hot-dip galvanized steel sheet is immersed in an aqueous solution for aluminum degreasing to form a specific roughness on the surface. The surface is covered with convex protrusions having a diameter of about 100 nm, and a chromate treatment layer appears in the surface. A resin composition comprising 70 to 97 wt % of polyphenylene sulfide and 3 to 30 wt % of a polyolefin resin is injected onto the surface. The resin composition penetrates into ultra-fine irregularities and is cured in that state, and thereby a composite in which the galvanized steel sheet and the resin molded article are strongly integrated can be obtained. The shear rupture strength of the composite is extremely high.

There is provided a technique to strongly integrate a galvanized steel sheet and a resin molded article. A hot-dip galvanized steel sheet is immersed in an aqueous solution for aluminum degreasing to form a specific roughness on the surface. The surface is covered with convex protrusions having a diameter of about 100 nm, and a chromate treatment layer appears in the surface. A resin composition comprising 70 to 97 wt % of polyphenylene sulfide and 3 to 30 wt % of a polyolefin resin is injected onto the surface. The resin composition penetrates into ultra-fine irregularities and is cured in that state, and thereby a composite in which the galvanized steel sheet and the resin molded article are strongly integrated can be obtained. The shear rupture strength of the composite is extremely high.