An apparatus for thermally joining thermoplastic fiber composite components includes a pressurization arrangement for jointly covering, at least in a region of a joining zone, thermoplastic fiber composite components to be joined and applying pressure to the thermoplastic fiber composite components to press the thermoplastic fiber composite components against one another, at least in the joining zone, the pressurization arrangement being flexible, at least in some section or sections. A welding device is configured for welding the fiber composite components in the joining zone during pressurization. The pressurization arrangement and welding device are configured to weld the thermoplastic fiber composite components in a pressurized state in the joining zone. The pressurization arrangement is configured to maintain pressurization independently of the welding device until the joining zone solidifies. A cover is also disclosed for a pressurization device for thermally joining thermoplastic fiber composite components.

A joining method for joining a resin member and a metal member by heating is provided. Joining of the resin member and metal member is performed by heating a joining interface of the resin member and metal member to a temperature in a range of equal to or higher than a decomposition temperature of the resin member and lower than a temperature at which gas bubbles are generated in the resin member and by cooling a surface of the resin member on the opposite side from a joining surface thereof with the metal member to a temperature that is lower than the melting point of the resin member.

An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger array that includes stacking a plurality of heat exchanger units in an aligned configuration with respective first ports of the plurality of heat exchanger units aligned. The method can further include generating heat in the first coupling elements at the same time and at a temperature sufficient to generate a first plurality of respective couplings between adjacent sheets of adjacent heat exchanger units about adjacent first ports and without a coupling being generated between the first and second sheets of a given heat exchanger unit.

An efficient method for manufacturing a partially cured composite component intended to be joined with other component or components to form a composite structure and a manufacturing method of the composite structure. The partial curing of a composite layup is achieved using a mold comprising heat conductive elements and insulating elements and applying heat and pressure over the mold. The heat conductive elements are used to transmit or dissipate heat to/from the composite layup. The insulating elements are used to prevent the transmission or dissipation of heat to/from the composite layup.

A weld stop element may be used in a hot plate welding process for bonding first and second plastic components. The weld stop element includes a weld stop post positioned between ribs of one or both of the components. The weld stop post is sized such that the weld stop post is not accessible by a heating element during a heating phase of the hot plate welding process. The weld stop post defines a stop position for when the first and second plastic components are pressed together after the heating phase.

A weld stop element may be used in a hot plate welding process for bonding first and second plastic components. The weld stop element includes a weld stop post positioned between ribs of one or both of the components. The weld stop post is sized such that the weld stop post is not accessible by a heating element during a heating phase of the hot plate welding process. The weld stop post defines a stop position for when the first and second plastic components are pressed together after the heating phase.

A system for assembling a container and closure comprising an expanding collet which has a plurality of pivoting collet segments, each configured to simultaneously pivot radially outward about a pivot point and comprising. The collet comprises a lip that is engagable with the rim of the open end of the container and an angled tip positioned radially inward from the lip and shaped to press a countersink portion of the closure against an interior wall of the container as the collet segments pivot radially outward. As the container and the chuck are brought together, the rim engages with the lips of the collet segments and causes the angled tips of the collet segments to pivot outward toward the interior wall of the container, thereby pushing the countersink portion of the closure against the interior wall of the container.

A system using a pressure differential to clamp welding heads on opposite sides of a joint of a thermoplastic composite structure to be welded. The heads are positioned over the joint opposite each other. Each head includes a housing defining a chamber having a lower pressure such that the pressure differential forces the head against the side. Each head includes a contour plate located in the space and against the joint, and at least one of the heads includes a heater located in the space and heating the contour plate to a welding temperature. The system may also include a first arm coupled with one of the heads and moving it along the joint so as to remain aligned with the other head, and a second arm coupled with the other head and moving it along the joint while the system welds the joint in successive overlapping sections.

A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic composite product includes: providing a first and second thermoplastic composite component made from a consolidated stack of thermoplastic composite plies, said first and second component having a first and second ply drop off, respectively. The first and second components are positioned such that the first ply drop off and the second ply drop off are aligned, and the first and second components are fixedly connected by means of heating. The stacks of plies for the first and second components are constructed by stacking the plies in a stacking direction wherein the plies are arranged such that plies at a different position along the stacking direction are laterally offset relative to each other for the purpose of forming the first ply drop off and the second ply drop off, respectively, before consolidating.