A device for marking a work piece that is at least partially formed or reshaped through a thermal process is provided. The device includes a plurality of heating elements distributed laterally on a surface that is placed against the work piece and can be individually controlled for local heating of a work piece surface. Each of the heating elements includes a solid material with a surface structure and a heating structure. The surface structure includes at least one of a specifically or randomly varied topography. The surface structure can be at least partially heated through the heating structure.

A method for rapid heat cycle compression molding comprises placing an assemblage of feed constituents in a mold, placing the mold between two hot platens of a hot press, heating the mold by pressing the two hot platens against the mold, placing the mold between two cold platens of a cold press, cooling the mold by pressing the two cold platens against the mold, and ejecting the part from the mold.

A process for post curing a composite product made from a filament winding process comprises the steps of: surrounding the composite product, that is disposed about a rotatable mandrel, with an outer jacket; and simultaneously rotating and heating the mandrel resulting in post curing of the composite product according to a process that can be referred to as being a combo-semi-centrifugal post curing process.

A method for rapid heat cycle compression molding comprises placing an assemblage of feed constituents in a mold, placing the mold between two hot platens of a hot press, heating the mold by pressing the two hot platens against the mold, placing the mold between two cold platens of a cold press, cooling the mold by pressing the two cold platens against the mold, and ejecting the part from the mold.

A method for forming a fibre article, the method comprising: locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the preform comprising a heat-activatable binder; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; positioning a first heater plate in contact with the first diaphragm; positioning a second heater plate in contact with the second diaphragm; drawing a vacuum between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate so as to increase the contact between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate; releasing the vacuum between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate; and drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the second heater plate so as to increase the contact between the second diaphragm and the second heater plate.

A resin molding method includes a first step of supplying electricity to and heating a stator coil via a stator terminal in a state that the stator terminal clamped; and a second step of molding an insulating resin at a coil end of the heated stator coil. The first step places the stator terminal on a conducting terminal block in such a state that clamping of the stator terminal by the conducting terminal block and a terminal holding member is released, before supplying electricity to the stator coil, and lifts up and down the conducting terminal block, such that the portion of the stator terminal becomes within a predetermined range.

Methods and apparatus for curing curved cylinder-like workpieces (e.g., in the shape of a half or full barrel) made of composite material, such as nacelle honeycomb core composite sandwich structures. These methods enable tailored curing of composite nacelle structures, to significantly reduce capital cost and fabrication cycle time. In lieu of an autoclave or oven, a pressurized ring-shaped cure volume is defined by a partitioned enclosure that mimics the cylinder-like shape of the composite nacelle structure with only limited clearance (e.g., a partitioned enclosure comprising inner and outer concentric cylinder-like walls). A tool (e.g., a mandrel) and at least one composite nacelle structure supported thereon are placed in the cure volume for curing. Integrally heated tooling, optionally in combination with other heating methods, such as infrared heaters, is utilized to provide the temperature profile necessary for cure.

Method of manufacturing a product comprising fiber reinforced polymer material, the method comprising the steps of: providing 10 carbon fibers being embedded in a thermosetting resin, heating 20 the thermosetting resin up to its cure temperature by a current flowing through at least a part of said carbon fibers, letting convert 30 the thermosetting resin to a thermoset polymer. The invention is further directed to a device for performing the method and to a composite sandwich panel structure manufactured according to the method.

A drape forming apparatus includes a forming tool having a first forming surface and a second forming surface nonplanar with the first forming surface. A tray is spaced apart from the forming tool and is configured to pivot about a hinged end from a first position to a second position under an applied force such that a distal end moves away from the forming tool. A first side of the tray faces a first heat source when the tray is in the first position, and a second heat source is disposed at a second side of the tray. A device for use in forming the composite structure includes a standoff and the tray, and a heat source is secured to the second side of the tray. A method of forming a composite structure includes heating both sides of the composite material with the first and second heat sources.

A heater for heating a contoured surface of a structural member includes a bladder, a granular material within the bladder, where the granular material is capable of exhibiting granular jamming when air is removed from the bladder, and a heating element positioned within the bladder and in contact with the granular material.