Square symmetric composite laminate structures, and sub-modules thereof, are provided, along with methods of forming the same. The square symmetric laminate structures include two or more sub-laminate modules, each comprising: a first ply set consisting of a first ply layer oriented at a first angle and a second ply layer oriented at a second angle, a first sum of the first and second angles being ninety degrees; and a second ply set consisting of a third ply layer oriented at a third angle and a fourth ply layer oriented at a fourth angle, a second sum of the third and fourth angles being ninety degrees; wherein the second ply layer is positioned adjacent the third ply layer and the second and third ply layers are both positioned intermediate the first and fourth ply layers, thereby defining a double-double helix arrangement of the respective ply layers. Associated methods are also provided.

A method for producing a film-coated metal plate, comprising the steps of: (1) pre-heating and soaking a metal plate; (2) hot coating the metal plate with a thin film; (3) cooling the metal plate; (4) compressing the metal plate to dry it; (5) reheating and post-processing the metal plate. This method is able to produce a metal plate having a thin film coated on the surface thereof and to easily control the thickness of a melting layer of the thin film in the process of production, especially control the difference between the thicknesses of the melting layers on both sides; and meanwhile, this method is able to increase the cooling rate. Accordingly, this method enhances the performance of the film-coated metal plate and increases the application range of the film-coated metal plate by means of a more environmentally friendly producing process and lower energy consumption, and is able to produce good economic and social benefits. The film-coated metal plate produced by this method can be used for food and beverage package. A device for producing a film-coated metal plate, which can produce a film-coated metal plate using the described method for producing a film-coated metal plate. The device comprises: an induction heating apparatus, an offset roller (4), a thin film guide roller (6), a film-coating roller (7), a cooling apparatus (9), a compressing and drying roller (12), a reheating apparatus (14) and an air cooling apparatus (15).

Provided are assemblies, each including a first structure having a uniform coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and a second composite structure having a variable CTE. Also provided are methods of forming such assemblies. The second structure has overlap, transition, and baseline regions. The overlap region directly interfaces the first structure and has a CTE comparable to that of the first structure. The baseline region is away from the first structure and has a different CTE. Each of these CTEs may be uniform in its respective region. The transition region may interconnect the baseline and overlap regions and may have gradual CTE change from one end to the other. The CTE variation with the second composite structure may be achieved by changing fiber angles in at least one ply extending through all three regions. For example, any of the plies may be subjected to fiber steering.

Processes are disclosed for separating a first layer from a remainder of a multilayer interlayer sheet, in which the multilayer sheet is heated, and thereafter the first layer is separated from the remainder of the multilayer interlayer sheet by pulling the first layer and the remainder of the multilayer interlayer sheet in different directions, in a defined orientation.

Disclosed are a laminate having two or more layers formed from at least one primary sheet, the at least one primary sheet containing a resin and a particulate carbon material with a content of the particulate carbon material being 50% by mass or less, and the at least one primary sheet having a tensile strength of 1.5 MPa or less, a method of producing the same, a secondary sheet that contains a resin and a particulate carbon material with a content of the particulate carbon material being 50% by mass or less, where the particulate carbon material is aligned in the thickness direction, and that has a curl index of 0.33 or less, and a method of producing the secondary sheet.

A preform tool (30) for shaping uncured composite material, including a central section having a mold surface (40) corresponding to a surface of the desired component shape, and at least a first side section (34) detachably connected to the central section and having a support surface extending as a continuation of the mold surface, and a cover (36). The junction between the mold and support surface is located along an edge of the desired component shape. The cover is movable between an engaged position in proximity of the mold surface for retaining the composite material, and a disengaged position located further away from the mold surface than in the engaged position. Also, a method of shaping composite material includes conforming composite plies to the mold surface, disengaging each side section from the central section and trimming the excess composite material extending laterally from the mold surface.

Provided are assemblies, each including a first structure having a uniform coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and a second composite structure having a variable CTE. Also provided are methods of forming such assemblies. The second structure has overlap, transition, and baseline regions. The overlap region directly interfaces the first structure and has a CTE comparable to that of the first structure. The baseline region is away from the first structure and has a different CTE. Each of these CTEs may be uniform in its respective region. The transition region may interconnect the baseline and overlap regions and may have gradual CTE change from one end to the other. The CTE variation with the second composite structure may be achieved by changing fiber angles in at least one ply extending through all three regions. For example, any of the plies may be subjected to fiber steering.

An efficient automatic film laying apparatus and laying method are provided. The apparatus includes a panel conveying mechanism and a film laying mechanism arranged above the panel conveying mechanism. The film laying mechanism includes a first driving member, a first supporting plate driven by the first driving member to move horizontally, a film feeding unit and a cutting unit arranged on the first supporting plate, and a tail end pressing unit that presses tightly a tail end of a film on the surface of a panel, and the cutting unit is located on a film output side of the film feeding unit.

A film laying apparatus and laying method are provided. The apparatus includes a panel conveying mechanism and a film laying mechanism arranged above the panel conveying mechanism. The film laying mechanism includes a first driving member, a first supporting plate driven by the first driving member to move horizontally, a film feeding unit and a cutting unit arranged on the first supporting plate, and a tail end pressing unit that presses tightly a tail end of a film on the surface of a panel, and the cutting unit is located on a film output side of the film feeding unit.

A lamination-forming system according to the present disclosure includes: a pair of carrier films for sandwiching an object to be laminated between the pair of carrier films from above and below and conveying the object to be laminated along a conveyance direction; a film unwinder for unwinding the carrier film; a laminator for pressing the object to be laminated to form a lamination-formed product, the laminator being disposed on a downstream side with respect to the film unwinder; and a cooling unit configured to cool the lamination-formed product, the cooling unit being disposed on a downstream side with respect to the laminator. The cooling unit includes an airflow generation unit configured to cause a cooling air to flow in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction, toward a downstream side in the conveyance direction.