This disclosure is directed to a thermoplastic composite material forming method and tooling used to perform the method. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to a method of fabricating large, complex thermoplastic composite part shapes with a consolidation tool having a conformable tooling bladder that heat thermoplastic material in the tool and provide thermoplastic material consolidation pressure in directions in the tool to form a part shape of thermoplastic composite material. A novel tooling concept is used to fabricate large, complex thermoplastic composite part shapes which are not easily producible using traditional methods. The tooling concept employs a consolidation tool that provides a method to apply thermoplastic material consolidation pressure by a conformable tooling bladder that provides thermoplastic material consolidation pressure in directions in the tool that are not achievable by conventional clamshell type molds where the mold parts move in substantially vertical tool opening and tool closing directions.

Provided is a method of manufacturing a wind turbine rotor blade, which method includes the steps of preparing a mold by forming a partial negative leading-edge profile in a first mold half, which partial negative leading-edge profile includes a plurality of first indentations along a leading edge region of the first mold half; forming a partial negative leading-edge profile in a second mold half, which partial negative leading-edge profile includes a complementary plurality of second indentations along a leading edge region of the second mold half; and wherein the combined shape of a first indentation and a complementary second indentation corresponds to the negative shape of a leading-edge fin that will extend radially outward from the body of the rotor.

Provided is a fiber-reinforced composite material shaping device including: core units; a shaping mold having a recessed portion for accommodating the core units; a seal member for sealing a fiber base material in the shaping mold to form a sealed space; an aspiration unit for reducing the pressure in the sealed space; a resin injection unit for injecting a resin material into the sealed space; and moving mechanisms for separating a first shaping surface away from the fiber base material, which contains a resin material that has been shaped by the first shaping surface and cured. Formed on the first shaping surface is a first groove section extending in a predetermined direction. The moving mechanisms move the core units along a predetermined direction in which the first groove section extends, while maintaining a state in which the first shaping surface is in contact with the fiber base material.

The present invention is a system and method for manufacturing a framework for a padded cushion in the shape of a kneeler pad, wherein the framework is created using a thermoforming process to make rigid and plastic top and bottom shells that are then coupled together to form a framework to which upholstery is added to thereby form a padded kneeling cushion, wherein a fabric tightening system is also installed in the framework that enables the upholstery to be stretched tighter over the framework in order to tighten the upholstery around the cushion as the upholstery loses its shape and stretches over time, and wherein a system is provided to extend a length of the kneeler pads through the addition of expansion segments in the framework.

A turning system for turning wind turbine blade shell part carriers between an open position and a closed position about a turning axis, comprising: a lower blade shell part carrier having a support surface for receiving and supporting a lower wind turbine blade part; an upper blade shell part carrier and having a support surface for receiving and supporting an upper wind turbine blade part; and at least one turning device each including: a lower hinge element, such as a beam, arranged under the support surface of the lower blade shell part carrier; and a turning hinge having a lower hinge part attached to the respective lower hinge element, an upper hinge part attached to the upper blade shell part carrier, and an actuator configured for turning the lower and upper hinge parts relative to each other about the turning axis.

A synthetic roofing tile is provided that includes features enhancing the impact resistance as well as the ease of installation and/or use of the roofing tile or panel on a building structure. The roofing tile is formed in an improved color variation process which effectively simulates the appearance of the natural material represented by the synthetic roofing tile. The roofing tile also can be compression molded such as in a method for manufacturing a synthetic roofing tile or panel is provide in which a number of inserts representing the desired appearance for the roofing tile or panel can be utilized in the manufacturing process to provide roofing tiles or panels with the desired appearance. The inserts can be interchanged within the molds in order to provide different appearances to roofing tiles or panels formed using the same molds.

Disclosed is a method, a mould system and a mould part for a mould system, for manufacture of a component for a wind turbine blade. The mould part may have a moulding surface with a primary side section, a secondary side section, and a central portion between the primary side section and the secondary side section. The mould part has a primary connection interface configured to abut a secondary connection interface of a second mould part. The primary connection interface comprises a primary connection surface substantially perpendicular to the moulding surface. The primary connection interface comprising an outlet configured to be connected to a vacuum source.

A mould for vulcanising tyres for vehicle wheels, comprising—at least one sidewall plate (3) on which a moulding surface (4) is defined,—a removable insert (10) arranged to be received in a seat (5) which is made in said sidewall plate and open on said moulding surface, said insert comprising a main body (11; 111) on which a base surface (12) is defined which is intended for contacting a portion of a sidewall (52) of the green tyre, and—a retaining member (20) for retaining said insert (10) inside said seat. The retaining member comprises at least one locking element which is mounted on one out of said insert and said sidewall plate and can be moved in an operating direction (Y) between a locking position, in which said insert is retained inside said seat, and a release position, in which said insert is free to leave said seat.

Disclosed is a method, a mould system and a mould part for a mould system, for manufacture of a component for a wind turbine blade. The mould part may have a moulding surface with a primary side section, a secondary side section, and a central portion between the primary side section and the secondary side section. The mould part has a primary connection interface configured to abut a secondary connection interface of a second mould part. The primary connection interface comprises a primary connection surface substantially perpendicular to the moulding surface. The primary connection interface comprising an outlet configured to be connected to a vacuum source.

A mold assembly may include a mold frame having an opening extending in a plane and a movable mold insert adjuster to move a mold insert having a slot forming protrusion within the plane within opening.