The disclosure relates to additively manufactured (AM) composite structures such as panels for use in transport structures or other mechanized assemblies. An AM core may be optimized for an intended application of a panel. In various embodiments, one or more values such as strength, stiffness, density, energy absorption, ductility, etc. may be optimized in a single AM core to vary across the AM core in one or more directions for supporting expected load conditions. In an embodiment, the expected load conditions may include forces applied to the AM core or corresponding panel from different directions in up to three dimensions. Where the structure is a panel, face sheets may be affixed to respective sides of the core. The AM core may be a custom honeycomb structure. In other embodiments, the face sheets may have custom 3-D profiles formed traditionally or through additive manufacturing to enable structural panels with complex profiles. The AM core may include a protrusion to provide fixturing features to enable external connections. In other embodiments, inserts, fasteners, or internal channels may be co-printed with the core. In still other embodiments, the AM core may be used in a composite structure such as, for example a rotor blade or a vehicle component.

The disclosure relates to additively manufactured (AM) composite structures such as panels for use in transport structures or other mechanized assemblies. An AM core may be optimized for an intended application of a panel. In various embodiments, one or more values such as strength, stiffness, density, energy absorption, ductility, etc. may be optimized in a single AM core to vary across the AM core in one or more directions for supporting expected load conditions. In an embodiment, the expected load conditions may include forces applied to the AM core or corresponding panel from different directions in up to three dimensions. Where the structure is a panel, face sheets may be affixed to respective sides of the core. The AM core may be a custom honeycomb structure. In other embodiments, the face sheets may have custom 3-D profiles formed traditionally or through additive manufacturing to enable structural panels with complex profiles. The AM core may include a protrusion to provide fixturing features to enable external connections. In other embodiments, inserts, fasteners, or internal channels may be co-printed with the core. In still other embodiments, the AM core may be used in a composite structure such as, for example a rotor blade or a vehicle component.

Self supporting prepreg with tack for use in automatic process for laying up prepreg to form three dimensional parts is provided herein.

The invention relates to a process for the production of multilayer composites and to a production plant (12, 60) for this purpose. The multilayer composites comprise at least one substrate web (64, 66), at least one bonding layer, and at least one polyurethane layer which has capillaries which extend through the entire thickness of the at least one polyurethane layer. First, at least one polyurethane layer is produced in a matrix (15), with passage through at least one coating unit (26, 30) and through a plurality of heating units (24, 28, 32). The matrices (15) thus treated are then introduced (76) into an input point (74) of a transfer section (60) for substrate web (64, 66). A structured side (78) of the matrix (15) is applied onto the substrate web (64, 66) passing continuously through the transfer section (60). Treatment of a composite made of the matrix (15) and of the substrate web (64, 66) takes place in a heatable press device (82) with transfer of the at least one polyurethane layer from the matrix to the upper side of the substrate web (64, 66). Finally, the matrix (15) is removed from the substrate web (64, 66), and transferred to a treatment section (12), and the substrate web (64, 66) is wound up at a wind-up unit (100) after removal of the matrix.

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 optical bonding machine is provided, including a transparent datum located within the optical bonding machine, wherein the transparent datum supports a first substrate, a robotic placement head configured to pick up a second substrate and place the second substrate into contact with the first substrate, on the transparent datum, a camera disposed proximate the transparent datum, the camera capturing a video of a flow of an optically clear adhesive between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a curing source disposed proximate the transparent datum, the curing source emitting UV rays that pass through the transparent datum and the first substrate to cure an optically clear adhesive between a bonded substrate comprising the first substrate, the optically clear adhesive, and the second substrate. An associated method is also provided.

Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology, either as a sole modality of handling such materials or in concert with vacuum for the pick up and release of materials, respectively.

An autonomous application machine installs screen protectors on mobile devices, such as cell phones. The machine has an enclosure with an interior. A cleaning station has a cleaning implement to contact a screen of the mobile device. A magazine carries a plurality of screen protectors. A lamination station has an applicator to place a screen protector from the magazine on the screen of the mobile device. A vision inspection station has a light source and a camera to initially visually inspect the screen of mobile device prior to cleaning in the cleaning station and to verify that the screen is undamaged and free of an existing screen protector; and subsequently visually inspect the screen protector on the mobile device after installation in the lamination station and to verify that the screen protector has been properly installed.

A method and system for production of layered wood products employs local and independently operating robotic panel assembly cells including one or more veneer handling robots, one or more core handling robots, and one or more glue application robots to produce stacks of layered wood product panels locally near the pressing stations. Consequently, the stacks of layered wood product panels are independently built at, or near, the location of the pressing stations. This eliminates the need for traditional panel conveyors, traditional layered wood product panel assembly layup lines, and stack press delivery lines. This, in turn, eliminates thousands of moving parts and dozens of people from the layered wood product production process.

Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology for the pick-up and release of materials, respectively.