A compression apparatus (10) for compressing a tubular structure (12) to be formed into a hollow structure (20) such as a pipe comprises contact elements (60) arranged in two sets, (61, 62). The contact elements (60) are adapted to move along a compression section (41) in a coordinated sequence, whereby a portion (12a) of the tubular structure (12) within the compression section (41) is compressed between pairs (63) of opposed contact elements. The apparatus (10) includes registration means (110) for causing respective pairs (63) of opposed contact elements (60) to be maintained in registration with each other while moving along the compression section (41).

Devices and methods for producing a T-shaped semifinished product from a multiply non-crimp fabric with reinforcing fibers for a composite material. The product has a web and a flange. The device includes a web forming tool, with which a web portion of the non-crimp fabric is clamped in place, a forming tool, with which plies of a flange portion of the non-crimp fabric are split into two parts, a depositing device, with which a tube body is deposited on the flange portion formed into the flange, a holding tool, with which a clearance between the holding tool and the flange is formed, and a filling device, with which the tube body is filled with a gas such that the tube body fills the clearance and firmly holds the flange portion formed into the flange, and alternatively, a magnetic force can be generated between a sheet and the web forming tool.

Aspects disclosed herein relate to improvements regarding the formation of touch fasteners on nonwoven materials or other thermoplastic and non-thermoplastic materials employing ultrasonic formation technologies. Such improvements may be applied to rotary sonotrodes or blade sonotrodes. These improvements may include raised or recessed features in the functional surface of the sonotrode, methods and arrangements of pre-heating and/or cooling the functional surface of the sonotrode, varying or fixing the surface speed of the rotary sonotrode relative to a molding roller to form touch fasteners at desired spacing intervals, and the inclusion of supplementary material with the substrate. Various molding rollers are also disclosed.