The method of bonding a first object (1) to a second object (2) uses a connector, the connector having a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion (32). The first sheet portion has at least one outwardly protruding first attachment portion (33), and the second sheet portion has at least one outwardly protruding second attachment portion (34). The connector (3) further has a spacer between the first and second sheet portions. For bonding, the first and second objects (1, 2) and the connector (3) are positioned relative to each other so that the connector is placed between the first and second objects. Then the first and second objects (1, 2) are pressed against each other while mechanical vibration energy impinges on the first and/or second object until a first flow portion of thermoplastic material of the first object in contact with the first attachment portion(s) and a second flow portion of thermoplastic material in contact with the second attachment portion(s) become flowable allowing the respective attachment portions (33, 34) to be pressed into material of the first and second object, respectively. After re-solidification of the flow portions, a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects via the connector results. The spacer defines a width (w) of a gap between the first and second objects (1, 2) after bonding.

The method of bonding a first object (1) to a second object (2) uses a connector, the connector having a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion (32). The first sheet portion has at least one outwardly protruding first attachment portion (33), and the second sheet portion has at least one outwardly protruding second attachment portion (34). The connector (3) further has a spacer between the first and second sheet portions. For bonding, the first and second objects (1, 2) and the connector (3) are positioned relative to each other so that the connector is placed between the first and second objects. Then the first and second objects (1, 2) are pressed against each other while mechanical vibration energy impinges on the first and/or second object until a first flow portion of thermoplastic material of the first object in contact with the first attachment portion(s) and a second flow portion of thermoplastic material in contact with the second attachment portion(s) become flowable allowing the respective attachment portions (33, 34) to be pressed into material of the first and second object, respectively. After re-solidification of the flow portions, a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects via the connector results. The spacer defines a width (w) of a gap between the first and second objects (1, 2) after bonding.

A flame retardant composition includes poly(carbonate-bisphenol phthalate ester) or a combination of poly(carbonate-bisphenol phthalate ester) and a poly(ester), an organophosphorous flame retardant present in an amount effective to provide 0.5-0.8 wt % of added phosphorous; 5-45 wt % of glass fibers; optionally, a poly(carbonate-siloxane); optionally, 0.01-10 wt % of a flame retardant sulfonate salt; optionally, 0.1-0.6 wt % of an anti-drip agent; and optionally, 0.01-10 wt % an additive composition, wherein the amount of the polymer component, the organophosphorous flame retardant, the glass fibers, and the optional components total 100 wt %; and wherein a molded sample of the flame retardant composition has a UL 94 rating of V0 at a thickness of 1.2 millimeter, preferably a CA UL 94 rating of V0 at a thickness 0.8 millimeter.

A heating element for resistance welding of thermoplastic components includes an electrically conductive sheet with cut-outs, wherein a ratio of cut-outs to electrically conductive sheet changes at least along a transverse direction of the sheet, so that an electrical resistance of the sheet has a maximum at a center of the sheet. A welding kit includes the heating element and an electrical insulation layer. A method of manufacturing the heating element, and a method of employing the heating element for welding two thermoplastic components to one another are disclosed.

A heating element for resistance welding of thermoplastic components includes an electrically conductive sheet with cut-outs, wherein a ratio of cut-outs to electrically conductive sheet changes at least along a transverse direction of the sheet, so that an electrical resistance of the sheet has a maximum at a center of the sheet. A welding kit includes the heating element and an electrical insulation layer. A method of manufacturing the heating element, and a method of employing the heating element for welding two thermoplastic components to one another are disclosed.

Improvements relating to wind turbine blade manufacture 5 A method of making a wind turbine blade is described. The method involves providing a blade shell having an inner surface defining a mounting region and positioning a web in the mounting region. One or more web restraining devices are used to secure the position of the web in the mounting region. Each restraining device has a first portion attached to the web and a second portion attached to the inner surface of the blade shell. The 10 restraining devices are configured to prevent movement of the web in a first plane substantially parallel to the mounting region and to permit movement of the web in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the mounting region. The method further comprises moving the web in the second plane away from the mounting region and performing one or more preparatory operations on the mounting region with the web 15 moved away from the mounting region. The web is then repositioned in the mounting region by moving the web in the second plane back towards the mounting region.

Improvements relating to wind turbine blade manufacture 5 A method of making a wind turbine blade is described. The method involves providing a blade shell having an inner surface defining a mounting region and positioning a web in the mounting region. One or more web restraining devices are used to secure the position of the web in the mounting region. Each restraining device has a first portion attached to the web and a second portion attached to the inner surface of the blade shell. The 10 restraining devices are configured to prevent movement of the web in a first plane substantially parallel to the mounting region and to permit movement of the web in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the mounting region. The method further comprises moving the web in the second plane away from the mounting region and performing one or more preparatory operations on the mounting region with the web 15 moved away from the mounting region. The web is then repositioned in the mounting region by moving the web in the second plane back towards the mounting region.

A method of determining a void volume during manufacture of a composite pipe formed of concentric layers of adjacently positioned, helical windings of composite tape has the steps of: (a) scanning the surface of a layer of adjacently positioned, helical windings to generate scanning information; (b) using the scanning information to locate gap(s) between adjacent windings and to determine the number of gaps and characteristic dimensions of each gap in the layer; and (c) generating a calculated void volume of the layer, using the number of gaps and the characteristic dimensions of each gap for the layer. The invention also relates to a corresponding apparatus for determining a void volume during manufacture of a composite pipe formed of concentric layers of helically wound composite tape.

To provide a novel material that maintains suppleness which is the advantage of a material using fibers and has a low thermal shrinkage ratio, and a method for producing the material, a partially welded material using the material, a composite material, and a method for producing a molded product. A material including: a first region, a fiber region, and a second region continuously in a thickness direction; the first region and the second region being each independently a resin layer including from 20 to 100 mass % of a thermoplastic resin component and from 80 to 0 mass % of reinforcing fibers; the fiber region including from 20 to 100 mass % of thermoplastic resin fibers and from 80 to 0 mass % of reinforcing fibers; the thermoplastic resin component included in the first region and the thermoplastic resin component included in the second region each independently having a crystallization energy during temperature increase of 2 J/g or greater, measured by differential scanning calorimetry; and the thermoplastic resin fibers included in the fiber region having a crystallization energy during temperature increase of less than 1 J/g, measured by differential scanning calorimetry; wherein the crystallization energy during temperature increase is a value measured by using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) in a nitrogen stream while heating is performed from 25° C. to a temperature that is 20° C. higher than a melting point of the thermoplastic resin component or the thermoplastic resin fibers at a temperature increase rate of 10° C./min.

A method for the design, manufacture, and assembly of modular lattice structures composed of cuboctahedron unit cells.