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.

The present invention describes a method for producing a leak-tight vessel for holding a gas and/or liquid, comprising the steps of winding a heat-sealable thermoplastic barrier strip around a removable mandrel in such a way that each strip fragment overlaps with a substantially parallel strip fragment over at least a lateral overlapping distance, consolidating the overlapping strip fragments so as to form a gas and/or liquid tight layer, winding a fibrous material around the gas and/or liquid tight layer, thereby leaving an opening large enough for removing the mandrel. The invention also describes a leak-tight vessel produced in this way.

A method for manufacturing a fiber reinforced structure includes the following. A mandrel of a first material comprises a hollow interior and an aperture that allows a fluid to enter the interior. A layer of a second material provided on the mandrel includes an uncured resin and fibers. The mandrel and the layer are placed in a mold cavity formed by a mold. A pressurized fluid is introduced into the interior of the mandrel via the aperture to generate a force acting to expand the mandrel outward. The mandrel is heated so that it becomes deformable and expand outward to press the layer against the mold. The layer is heated so that it cures. The mandrel is then heated to a temperature above its melting point of the first material so that it melts, after which it is removed.

The invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing a pipe shell from an insulating material by means of which the cycle times can be further reduced while the quality of the pipe shell is simultaneously improved, by at least one web (29) of the insulating material which is provided with a binding agent being wound around a core (19) by means of at least two opposing belts (12, 13) which wrap around the core (19) partially. The method steps are characterized in that the at least one wound-up web (32) of insulating material is removed in a radial direction of the core (19) which is, however, not opposite to the direction in which the at least one web (29) of insulating material was fed by the one belt (12), especially by the wound-up web (32) being discharged through the same belt (12).

An improved core for mounting on one or more core engaging elements such as a pair of chucks and a method of making an improved core are provided. The core is adapted to wind and unwind material thereon. The core comprises a high coefficient of friction coating disposed on the inner surface of the core to improve core-chuck interaction.

Disclosed herein are sterilized medical coiled tubing and process for producing the same. One process comprises: helically winding a length of medical tubing along a mandrel such that adjacent turns of the medical tubing are in contact with each other at tubing contact points; applying a UV adhesive to the tubing contact points to produce a medical coiled tubing; curing the tubing by applying UV light to the tubing contact points; and removing the medical tubing from the mandrel after the solvent has dried.

A pressurizing device is used for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin pipe from a pipe-shaped laminate body prepreg sheets, and comprises a tubular main body. The tubular main body is provided with a helical cut extending helically in the axial direction so as to have a helical cut portion made of a metal. The helical cut portion is arranged inside or outside of the pipe-shaped laminate body. The helical cut portion changes its outer diameter and inner diameter to press the laminate body when a torsional moment and/or a force in the axial direction is applied thereto.

A mandrel structure for use in manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin vessel by a filament winding process, includes: a shaft having a pair of axial ends configured to be supported by a drive unit; a mandrel having the shaft passed therethrough; and a pair of fittings having the shaft passed therethrough and projecting axially from respective axial ends of the mandrel. The mandrel is formed as a hollow shell made of a water-soluble material, and includes a pair of shaft holes receiving the shaft therein, and a receiving recess formed in a part of the mandrel surrounding each shaft hole and configured to engage the corresponding fitting in a rotationally fast manner.

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 multiple layer hollow cylinder is provided. An inner air-tight material is wrapped about at least a portion of a mandrel to form a plurality of first material loops. Each first material loop subsequent to an initial first material loop at least partially overlaps a previous first material loop. A resin-infused fabric material is wrapped over the inner air-tight material to form a plurality of second material loops. Each second material loop subsequent to an initial second material loop at least partially overlaps a previous second material loop. An outer air-tight transparent material is wrapped over the resin-infused fabric material to form a plurality of third material loops. Each third material loop subsequent to an initial third material loop at least partially overlaps a previous third material loop. Energy is directed about the outer air-tight transparent material to cure the resin-infused fabric material to form a hollow cylinder.