The heater assembly includes a case having a heating element therein, a channel extending through the case and having a size and shape for selectively receiving therethrough a first end of an elastomeric fixture outstretched through a substrate to a first length having a first width, and a heat transfer surface positioned relative to the heating element for receiving generated heat therefrom. The heat transfer surface is generally positionable relative to the substrate to cooperate with an adhesively bondable attachment coupled to a second end of the elastomeric fixture opposite the first end and including an uncured bonding agent disposed thereon. The heater assembly and attachment simultaneously sandwich the substrate in compression engagement in between when the elastomeric fixture extends through the substrate into the central channel and relaxes to a second relatively shorter length having a second relatively larger width.

Molded rubber objects may be molded and de-molded by defining both a desired final form for the molded rubber object and a tab extending from the final form of the molded rubber object using a cavity in a mold. Rubber pellets may be dispensed in predetermined amounts at desired location(s) within the cavity to provide the rubber needed to form the molded rubber object. Heat and pressure may be applied to the mold to cause the rubber pellets to fill the cavity defining both the desired final form of the molded rubber object and the tab. After the heat and pressure has been applied, a gripping device may grasp the tab and move the tab in a direction and with sufficient force to peel the rubber object from the mold cavity. If desired, the tab may be removed from the molded rubber object.

Molded rubber objects may be molded and de-molded by defining both a desired final form for the molded rubber object and a tab extending from the final form of the molded rubber object using a cavity in a mold. Rubber pellets may be dispensed in predetermined amounts at desired location(s) within the cavity to provide the rubber needed to form the molded rubber object. Heat and pressure may be applied to the mold to cause the rubber pellets to fill the cavity defining both the desired final form of the molded rubber object and the tab. After the heat and pressure has been applied, a gripping device may grasp the tab and move the tab in a direction and with sufficient force to peel the rubber object from the mold cavity. If desired, the tab may be removed from the molded rubber object.

Thermoplastic components may experience local damage, including cracks and decohesion of fiber reinforcements, among others. Such thermoplastics may be repaired by heating them to a suitable softening/melting temperature under pressure and maintaining them under pressure and at elevated temperature until the damage is healed. This may be done in-place using custom-fabricated, suitably-shaped die portions maintained under pressure by magnetic attraction. Various heating methods and die portion fabrication methods are described.

A method of forming a fibre composite component (10), the method comprising: providing a plurality of first fibres (102), the first fibres (102) being arranged in a plurality of layers (104a-e) with an uncured thermoset resin matrix (106) being provided therebetween. The resin matrix (106) comprises a plurality of second electrically conductive fibres (108) suspended therein having a shorter length than the first fibres (102). The method comprises then applying an energy field to the resin matrix (106) to thereby align the second fibres (108) such that they provide an electrically conductive path between adjacent layers (104a-e) of first fibres (102) to form an electrically conductive fibre network comprising the first and second fibres (102, 108). The method comprises then inducing an electric current through the electrically conductive fibre network to thereby heat and cure the resin matrix (106).

A process and installation for producing a composite material part in which plies of continuous and electrically conductive fibres are deposited to form a stack of piles on a substrate. At least the face of the substrate bearing the stack is electrically insulating and the following steps are carried out a) an electrical terminal is inserted between the ends of at least two plies placed directly one on top of the other in the stack, and on at least two opposite sides of these plies b) when the fibres are dry, introducing a resin in order to impregnate the fibres and c) making a current flow between the electrical terminals through the plies in order to set the resin by resistive heating.

Molded rubber objects may be molded and de-molded by defining both a desired final form for the molded rubber object and a tab extending from the final form of the molded rubber object using a cavity in a mold. Rubber pellets may be dispensed in predetermined amounts at desired location(s) within the cavity to provide the rubber needed to form the molded rubber object. Heat and pressure may be applied to the mold to cause the rubber pellets to fill the cavity defining both the desired final form of the molded rubber object and the tab. After the heat and pressure has been applied, a gripping device may grasp the tab and move the tab in a direction and with sufficient force to peel the rubber object from the mold cavity. If desired, the tab may be removed from the molded rubber object.

An injection molding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first mold including a first injection port through which a raw material is injected; a second mold including a heating member; a first movable mold facing the first mold or the second mold and having a first cavity formed therein; and a second movable mold facing the first mold or the second mold and having a second cavity formed therein, wherein the position of the first movable mold and the position of the second movable mold can be changed.

A method may include forming a mat including paper fragments, plastic fragments, and top and bottom outer surface layers, wherein the outer surface layers have maximum processing temperature values and consolidating the formed mat in a continuous hot press including three pairs of opposing top and bottom heating platens. A first pair of heating platens has a first heating power. A second pair of heating platens has a second, lower heating power. A third pair of heating platens has a third, even lower heating power. The method may include consolidating the formed mat in a continuous cold press including three pairs of opposing top and bottom heating platens. A first pair of cooling platens has a first cooling power. A second pair of cooling platens has a second, lower cooling power. A third pair of cooling platens and has a third, even lower cooling power.

The invention relates to a tool apparatus for producing a composite material component part, comprising a forming tool having a contact region for a workpiece, wherein the forming tool is made, in at least a portion thereof, of an electrically conductive material; and an induction heating apparatus having an inductive heating mat, wherein the heating mat is positioned in spaced relation to the forming tool, and wherein a positioning of the workpiece is provided between the heating mat and the forming tool, in contact with the forming tool, and wherein heating of the forming tool is provided, in at least a portion thereof, by the induction heating apparatus. The invention further relates to a method for producing a component part from a composite material by way of a forming tool.