A fluid forming apparatus includes a main frame having at least two tensile frame struts extending along a clamping axis and adapted to carry a tensile force along the clamping axis. An upper pressure plate and a lower pressure plate are arranged inside a frame space, and a tool space is disposed between the upper and the lower pressure plate, the tool space being adapted to take up a fluid forming tool mold. A first closure pressing unit is arranged inside the frame space such that by a pressure force exerted by the closure pressing unit, a pressure closing force along the clamping axis is exerted onto the upper and lower pressure plates, wherein the upper pressure plate, the lower pressure plate, the tool space and the first closure pressing unit are arranged in a functional serial arrangement along the clamping axis.

A machine can form a work piece into a bowl subcomponent of a steel pan musical instrument. The machine includes a pressure lid and a die mold. The die mold may be formed of non-metal layers stacked between metal layers. In example operation, a blank or work piece is inserted between the lid and die mold. The lid is pressed down (e.g., by a hydraulic ram), forcing a portion of the blank into a face groove of the die mold for sealing. Pressurized water or other fluid introduced between the lid and the blank exerts pressure on the sealed portion of the blank and stretches the blank to conform to a bowl shape of the die mold. Note regions can be introduced by this machine-performed shaping and/or by subsequent manual operations to further prepare the work piece for incorporation into a steel pan musical instrument.

Provided are methods and apparatuses for processing objects by applying different forces and/or pressure levels to different portions of surfaces of these objects. An apparatus may include a flexible wall and a contact member. In some embodiments, the flexible wall forms a bladder such that the contact member is disposed inside the bladder. During operation, the flexible wall may be pressed against an object using a pressure differential across the wall (e.g., by pressurizing the bladder). This creates a first force acting on a first portion of the object surface. Furthermore, the contact member may be forced against the flexible wall and apply a second force to a second portion of the object surface through the wall. The second portion of the object surface may be a subset of the first portion or an entirely different portion.

Provided are methods and apparatuses for processing objects by applying different forces and/or pressure levels to different portions of surfaces of these objects. An apparatus may include a flexible wall and a contact member. In some embodiments, the flexible wall forms a bladder such that the contact member is disposed inside the bladder. During operation, the flexible wall may be pressed against an object using a pressure differential across the wall (e.g., by pressurizing the bladder). This creates a first force acting on a first portion of the object surface. Furthermore, the contact member may be forced against the flexible wall and apply a second force to a second portion of the object surface through the wall. The second portion of the object surface may be a subset of the first portion or an entirely different portion.

Provided are methods and apparatuses for processing objects by applying different forces and/or pressure levels to different portions of surfaces of these objects. An apparatus may include a flexible wall and a contact member. In some embodiments, the flexible wall forms a bladder such that the contact member is disposed inside the bladder. During operation, the flexible wall may be pressed against an object using a pressure differential across the wall (e.g., by pressurizing the bladder). This creates a first force acting on a first portion of the object surface. Furthermore, the contact member may be forced against the flexible wall and apply a second force to a second portion of the object surface through the wall. The second portion of the object surface may be a subset of the first portion or an entirely different portion.

Provided are methods and apparatuses for processing objects by applying different forces and/or pressure levels to different portions of surfaces of these objects. An apparatus may include a flexible wall and a contact member. In some embodiments, the flexible wall forms a bladder such that the contact member is disposed inside the bladder. During operation, the flexible wall may be pressed against an object using a pressure differential across the wall (e.g., by pressurizing the bladder). This creates a first force acting on a first portion of the object surface. Furthermore, the contact member may be forced against the flexible wall and apply a second force to a second portion of the object surface through the wall. The second portion of the object surface may be a subset of the first portion or an entirely different portion.

According to one implementation, a preform shaping apparatus includes a rigid mold and a pressurizing jig. The rigid mold has a shape corresponding to a shape of a preform which has been shaped. The pressurizing jig presses an unshaped material of the preform to the rigid mold at different positions and different timings. Further, according to one implementation, a method of shaping a preform includes: producing the shaped preform by pressing an unshaped material of the preform to a rigid mold at different positions and different timings; and using a pressurizing jig for pressing the material. The rigid mold has a shape corresponding to a shape of the preform. The pressurizing jig is adapted to apply pressures on the material at the different positions and the different timings.

Provided is a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding method for producing a component, in particular a spar cap, of a rotor blade including a lightning protection system, wherein the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding method includes the steps of: a) placing) an electrically conductive beam fiber material of an electrically conductive beam, an electrically conductive fiber mat and an electrical conductor of the component in a mold arrangement electrically connecting the electrically conductive beam fiber material to the electrical conductor by means of the electrically conductive fiber mat, wherein an electrical connection between the electrical conductor and the electrically conductive fiber mat is generated, c) subjecting the mold arrangement to underpressure, d) applying an external pressure on the electrical connection from outside the mold arrangement, e) injecting resin into the underpressurized mold arrangement, and f) applying heat to the mold arrangement for curing the resin.

An installation tool and method are provided to apply a patch to a structure while controlling the porosity in the bond line. An installation tool is provided that includes a frame defining an internal cavity. The installation tool also includes a flexible membrane that divides the internal cavity into a first chamber proximate the surface and a second chamber separated from the surface by the first chamber and the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is releasably attached to the patch such that the patch faces the surface. The frame includes first and second vacuum ports into the first and second chambers, respectively, such that pressure therewithin is separately controllable. The pressure within the first and second chambers is controlled such that the adhesive is degassed while the patch remains spaced from the surface and the flexible membrane is thereafter caused to be stretched to urge the patch toward the surface.

An installation tool and method are provided to apply a patch to a structure while controlling the porosity in the bond line. An installation tool is provided that includes a frame defining an internal cavity. The installation tool also includes a flexible membrane that divides the internal cavity into a first chamber proximate the surface and a second chamber separated from the surface by the first chamber and the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is releasably attached to the patch such that the patch faces the surface. The frame includes first and second vacuum ports into the first and second chambers, respectively, such that pressure therewithin is separately controllable. The pressure within the first and second chambers is controlled such that the adhesive is degassed while the patch remains spaced from the surface and the flexible membrane is thereafter caused to be stretched to urge the patch toward the surface.