Disclosed herein is an apparatus for adjusting membrane height for hot drape forming. The apparatus includes a frame including an enclosable interior space and sidewalls defining a perimeter of the interior space. The apparatus further includes an adjustable collar within the interior space of the frame. The adjustable collar extends about the perimeter of the interior space and is configured to move translationally within the interior space of the frame along the sidewalls in a first direction. The apparatus further includes a membrane extending across the interior space in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, and co-movably coupled with the adjustable collar, wherein a position of the membrane within the interior space is adjustable in the first direction as the adjustable collar moves translationally within the interior space.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for adjusting membrane height for hot drape forming. The apparatus includes a frame including an enclosable interior space and sidewalls defining a perimeter of the interior space. The apparatus further includes an adjustable collar within the interior space of the frame. The adjustable collar extends about the perimeter of the interior space and is configured to move translationally within the interior space of the frame along the sidewalls in a first direction. The apparatus further includes a membrane extending across the interior space in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, and co-movably coupled with the adjustable collar, wherein a position of the membrane within the interior space is adjustable in the first direction as the adjustable collar moves translationally within the interior space.

Composite structures and methods of forming composite structures are provided. The composite structures can include one or more composite structure components. Each composite structure component is formed from a composite panel that includes one or more sheets of material. The sheets of material include a thermoplastic material and a plurality of reinforcing fibers. A composite panel can be formed in three dimensions to form a composite structure component. Multiple composite structure components can be fused to one another to form a composite structure. In addition, each composite structure component and the composite structure formed therefrom can include an aperture. An interior volume can be formed between adjacent composite structure components. Methods for forming a composite structure can include a step of simultaneously molding and fusing composite structure components.

A method of manufacturing a skate boot shell, and more particularly a non-lasted skate boot shell, including shaping tridimensional outer and inner sub-shells, and bonding the shaped sub-shells together through lamination. The lamination is performed after the sub-shells are shaped and includes applying heat to the sub-shells and/or pressure on one of the sub-shells toward the other against a mold surface. A skate boot shell with multiple sub-shells is also discussed, including an outer sub-shell, and inner sub-shell and a reinforcement sub-shell.

A method of manufacturing a skate boot shell, and more particularly a non-lasted skate boot shell, including shaping tridimensional outer and inner sub-shells, and bonding the shaped sub-shells together through lamination. The lamination is performed after the sub-shells are shaped and includes applying heat to the sub-shells and/or pressure on one of the sub-shells toward the other against a mold surface. A skate boot shell with multiple sub-shells is also discussed, including an outer sub-shell, and inner sub-shell and a reinforcement sub-shell.

A forming device has a machine frame and a forming apparatus disposed on the machine frame. At least one heating chamber is disposed on the machine frame. A heatable support is received in the at least one heating chamber in a position of use for preheating semi-finished products and can be moved in a movement direction out of the at least one heating chamber into a removal position for removal of preheated semi-finished products from the support. In the removal position, the support is at least partially located adjacent to the machine frame and enables access to preheated semi-finished products. At least one heating device is associated with the at least one heating chamber and has one or more convection heating devices that discharge at least one directable heating air flow.

A tool for curing a composite layup comprises a tool body having a surface adapted to support a composite layup thereon. The tool includes an integrated breather for allowing removal of air from the layup during curing.

A skate including a tridimensional skate boot shell with a sole insert embedded in or received in the skate boot shell such that at least part of a thickness of the sole portion is defined under the sole insert, and a holder under the skate boot shell configured for retaining a ground-engaging skate element. The holder is connected to the sole insert by at least one fastener extending through the at least part of the thickness of the sole portion. A method of manufacturing a skate boot is also discussed.

A system for preforming a sheet of plastic material (MP) including a first element forming a preforming cavity, the system including a second element adapted to be positioned opposite the first element, a set of pressing means sequentially actuated and carried by the second element to apply pressure locally to the sheet of plastic material (MP), so as to press this sheet (MP) against the first element, at least one means for sequential actuation of the pressing means.

A system for preforming a sheet of plastic material (MP) including a first element forming a preforming cavity, the system including a second element adapted to be positioned opposite the first element, a set of pressing means sequentially actuated and carried by the second element to apply pressure locally to the sheet of plastic material (MP), so as to press this sheet (MP) against the first element, at least one means for sequential actuation of the pressing means.