The present invention relates to a trim component for covering an interior space of a means for transporting passengers, in particular a vehicle, wherein the trim component includes a compressed natural fiber composite element with at least one side that is visible from the interior space of the means for transporting passengers and that forms a natural fiber surface with a structure of natural fibers, and a protective varnish layer applied onto the natural fiber surface and surrounding the natural fibers, with the protective varnish layer being designed such that the structure of natural fibers can be felt. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such a trim component and a means for transporting passengers having such a trim component.

A manufacturing apparatus for constructing a 3D preform from carbon fibre tow (10), in which the tow is deposited by an AFP head (2400) onto a membrane (2204) which is conveyed to a forming cell (114) for diaphragm forming. Active tension control is provided with an offwind (102) combined with an accumulator (106) and compensator (108). The invention also provides a method of manufacture.

A manufacturing apparatus for constructing a 3D preform from carbon fibre tow (10), in which the tow is deposited by an AFP head (2400) onto a membrane (2204) which is conveyed to a forming cell (114) for diaphragm forming. Active tension control is provided with an offwind (102) combined with an accumulator (106) and compensator (108). The invention also provides a method of manufacture.

A method for rapid manufacturing of three dimensional discontinuous fiber preforms is provided. The method includes the deposition of a polymeric material containing fibers on a surface to form a tailored charge for compression molding. The reinforced polymeric material may be a thermoplastic or a reactive polymer with viscosity low enough to allow flow through an orifice during deposition, yet high enough zero shear viscosity to retain the approximate shape of the deposited charge. The material can be deposited in a predetermined pattern to induce the desired mechanical properties through alignment of the fibers. This deposition can be performed in a single layer or in multiple layers. The alignment is achieved passively by shear alignment of the fibers or actively through fiber orientation control or mixing. The fibers can be of the desired material, length, and morphology, including short and long filaments.

A laying die, for picking up and laying of substrates, comprising an elastically deformable substrate receiving structure providing an engagement surface for releasable receiving of substrates, an attaching element comprising a gas channel for providing positively or negatively pressurized gas for picking up and blowing off the substrates, and a carrier body made from elastically deformable material and sandwiched between the substrate receiving structure and the attaching element which is arranged to distribute the positively or negatively pressurized gas over the carrier body. The carrier body comprises breakthroughs to transfer the pressurized gas from the attaching element to the substrate receiving structure that comprises an elastically deformable distribution plate to distribute the positively or negatively pressurized gas over the engagement surface. Also, a laying device which changes the position and/or orientation of substrates to predetermined values can comprise the laying die and a method for manufacturing the laying die.

A laying die, for picking up and laying of substrates, comprising an elastically deformable substrate receiving structure providing an engagement surface for releasable receiving of substrates, an attaching element comprising a gas channel for providing positively or negatively pressurized gas for picking up and blowing off the substrates, and a carrier body made from elastically deformable material and sandwiched between the substrate receiving structure and the attaching element which is arranged to distribute the positively or negatively pressurized gas over the carrier body. The carrier body comprises breakthroughs to transfer the pressurized gas from the attaching element to the substrate receiving structure that comprises an elastically deformable distribution plate to distribute the positively or negatively pressurized gas over the engagement surface. Also, a laying device which changes the position and/or orientation of substrates to predetermined values can comprise the laying die and a method for manufacturing the laying die.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for placing a part may automatically self-align the part relative to a target along multiple axes of movement, such as along the width of the part, and normal to one or more target surfaces of the target. Devices may include one or more installation heads each having a respective retaining portion configured to selectively support and retain the part in association with the respective installation head as the device moves the part from a first location located apart from the target, towards the target. The installation head may be configured to automatically align the part with the target, in response to engagement between one or more part surfaces of the part and one or more target surfaces of the target. The retaining portion may be configured to selectively release the part once the part is automatically aligned with and operatively at the target.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for placing a part may automatically self-align the part relative to a target along multiple axes of movement, such as along the width of the part, and normal to one or more target surfaces of the target. Devices may include one or more installation heads each having a respective retaining portion configured to selectively support and retain the part in association with the respective installation head as the device moves the part from a first location located apart from the target, towards the target. The installation head may be configured to automatically align the part with the target, in response to engagement between one or more part surfaces of the part and one or more target surfaces of the target. The retaining portion may be configured to selectively release the part once the part is automatically aligned with and operatively at the target.

A pliable structure includes a first impermeable layer, a second impermeable layer opposed from the first impermeable layer to at least partially define an internal volume between the first impermeable layer and the second impermeable layer, and a flow media layer disposed in the internal volume.

Systems and methods are provided for handling objects. One embodiment is an apparatus for handling objects. The apparatus includes a vacuum securement head. The vacuum securement head includes a strongback, and an array of end effectors arranged at the strongback in conformance with a contour. The contour is complementary to a pickup tool. The array of end effectors is configured to pickup objects at the pickup tool. The vacuum securement head also includes an impermeable membrane that is penetrated by the end effectors, and a vacuum system configured to provide suction through the end effectors. The suction is configured to remove air between the impermeable membrane and a rigid tool, and offset air leaks between the impermeable membrane and the rigid tool.