A laser diode based system for direct injection of selected thermal-infrared (IR) wavelength radiation or energy into articles for a wide range of processing purposes is provided. These purposes may include heating, raising or maintaining the temperature of articles, or stimulating a target item in a wide range of different industrial, medical, consumer, or commercial applications. The system is especially applicable to operations that require or benefit from the ability to irradiate at specifically selected wavelengths or to pulse or inject the radiation. The system is particularly advantageous when functioning at higher speeds and in a non-contact environment with the target.

A conveyance device includes a plurality of holding mechanisms and one or more pressing mechanisms, the holding mechanisms each include a holder that holds a molding material and a holder movement mechanism that moves the holder, and the pressing mechanisms each include a pusher that comes into contact with and pushes the molding material and a pusher movement mechanism that moves the pusher.

Treating an uncured resin matrix composition to impart energy to the resin matrix composition enables a stable Tg to be achieved whereby the resin matrix composition may be stored and has a low tack enabling subsequent processing and handling. The invention provides a method of achieving a stable Tg without the resin matrix composition starting to cure and a method of determining the treatment regime by which a resin matrix composition with a stable Tg may be obtained. The resin matrix composition may be fresh or reused uncured resin matrix composition and may contain fibrous reinforcement.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a polyimide-based film and a polyimide-based film manufactured thereby and, particularly, to a method for manufacturing a polyimide-based film and a polyimide-based film manufactured thereby, wherein the polyimide-based film is useful as a cover substrate for a flexible electronic device since flexure characteristics thereof, represented by yield elongation, are excellent.

Treating an uncured resin to impart energy to the resin enables a stable Tg to be achieved whereby the resin may be stored and has a low tack enabling subsequent processing and handling. The invention provides a method of achieving a stable Tg without the resin starting to cure and a method of determining the treatment regime by which a resin with a stable Tg may be obtained. The resin may be fresh or reused uncured resin and may contain fibrous reinforcement.

A system and method for forming a part using a moveable heater to heat a pre-aligned blank and an alignment mechanism to maintain the alignment of the heated blank during the forming process. A frame receives and holds the blank in the pre-aligned position within an open press. The heater advances into the press to heat the pre-aligned blank to a forming temperature, and withdraws to allow the press to close and form the heated blank into the part. The alignment mechanism maintains the blank in the alignment while the blank is heated and the press is closed, and includes a rail extending through the press and the frame and allowing the press to move between open and closed positions, and a collapsible member which pushes the frame as the press closes and collapses to allow the press to fully close and form the heated blank into the part.

There is provided a process for preparing a prepreg (31) comprising reinforcement fibre (13) impregnated with a thermosetting resin matrix (20), said process comprising: a) providing a layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13); b) applying a layer (24) of a first thermosetting resin matrix (20) to the first surface (15) of the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) and bringing the first surface (15) of the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) into contact with the support surface (5) of a first continuous belt (3), so that the layer (24) of first thermosetting resin matrix (20) is positioned between, and in contact with, the first surface (15) of the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) and the support surface (5) of the first continuous belt (3); c) heating the layer (24) of first thermosetting resin matrix (20) applied to the first surface (15) of the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) in contact with the support surface (5) of the first continuous belt (3); d) bringing the second surface (17) of the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) into contact with the support surface 9) of a second continuous belt (7); e) heating the layer (24) of first thermosetting resin matrix (20) and the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) between the support surfaces of the first and second continuous belts (3, 7) so that the first thermosetting resin matrix (20) impregnates the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13); f) cooling the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) impregnated with the first thermosetting resin matrix (20) between the support surfaces of the first and second continuous belts (3, 7); and g) removing the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) impregnated with the first thermosetting resin matrix (20) from the support surfaces of the first and second continuous belts (3, 7).

A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic prepreg includes a double belt mechanism that is configured to compress a fiber mat, web, or mesh that is passed through the double belt mechanism, a resin applicator that is configured to apply monomers or oligomers to the fiber mat, web, or mesh, and a curing oven that is configured to effect polymerization of the monomers or oligomers and thereby form the thermoplastic polymer as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is moved through the curing oven. The double belt mechanism compresses the fiber mat, web, or mesh and the applied monomers or oligomers as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is passed through the curing oven so that the monomers or oligomers fully saturate the fiber mat, web, or mesh. Upon polymerization of the monomers or oligomers, the fiber mat, web, or mesh is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer.

A method for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded body, including heating a fiber-reinforced resin molded body precursor containing thermoplastic resin as matrix resin to soften it and molding it in a molding die, where temperature unevenness between the inside and surface of the fiber-reinforced resin molded body precursor can be reduced. The method includes a first step of storing a fiber-reinforced resin molded body precursor containing thermoplastic resin as the matrix resin and containing conductive fibrous materials therein into a heating furnace with heating apparatuses while holding the precursor using a pair of holding tools, which also function as electrodes, and then actuating the heating apparatuses while supplying current to the precursor from the electrodes, thereby softening the precursor; and a second step of transferring the softened precursor to a molding die using the holding tools, and molding a fiber-reinforced resin molded body in the molding die.

The invention relates to a fibrous-preform conveying device for conveying fibrous preforms, wherein at least one contact roller which on its circumferential face displays an electrode and/or counter electrode is provided, such that an electric contact with the fibrous preform to be conveyed is achieved in order to initiate a current flow in the fibrous preform when the fibrous preform is conveyed in the conveying direction.