An elastic sheet stretchable structure in which a first sheet layer and a second sheet layer are bonded through joint holes penetrating an elastic film at a plurality of sheet joined portions arranged at intervals is included. Joined portion groups in the stretchable region are in a relationship of intersecting a stretchable direction line at respective positions in an orthogonal direction or in a relationship of not intersecting the stretchable direction line at a separation width of 0.5 mm or less in the orthogonal direction of the stretchable direction line. The joined portion groups are in a relationship of not intersecting an oblique line at a predetermined separation width in the orthogonal direction in an oblique line group of oblique lines q in the orthogonal direction intersecting the stretchable direction line within an angle range γ of 45 degrees or less.

A method of dissipating heat from a surface of a first thermoplastic composite (TPC) being inductively welded with a second thermoplastic composite (TPC) includes flexing a heat sink during placement to conform to the surface of the first TPC, cooling the heat sink, applying inductive heat to a weld interface area between the first TPC and the second TPC, and drawing off heat via the heat sink from the surface of the first TPC.

A method of making laminate foam material is provided. The laminate foam material includes a layer of non-foam material sandwiched between two layers of foam material. The non-foam material is bonded to the foam material, such as with a bonding agent and/or by heating respective surfaces of the foam material until the surface softens or melts. When a heating process is utilized, the non-foam material is pressed against the softened or melted foam material. As the foam material begins to cool, the non-foam material becomes bonded to the foam material. The non-foam material is narrower than the foam material and is positioned relative to the foam material such that the edges of the non-foam material are concealed by the foam material. Foam products, such as foam mats, can be formed from the laminate foam material by cutting across the width of the foam material.

An article is formed by joining two or more layers in a stable structure, containing at least one composite layer that can be melted, with tensile and shear strength. The article is assembled by one or more mechanical fasteners and melt adhesion regions.

A system for consolidating materials, comprising a sonotrode configured to direct ultrasonic energy into materials to be consolidated, wherein the materials to be consolidated have both a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature; a non-rigid consolidating material in proximity to the sonotrode, wherein the non-rigid consolidating material and sonotrode define a region therebetween for receiving the materials to be consolidated, and wherein the non-rigid consolidating material has a glass transition temperature that is higher than the glass transition temperature of the materials to be consolidated and a melting temperature that is higher than the melting temperature of the materials to be consolidated.

A method for assembling a sheet (40) and an iron-based metal part (80) comprising a step of fitting a tubular pin (10) which is open at both ends by punching through the sheet (40) with a shank of the pin with the pin being retained (10) by the sheet, wherein a pad is detached from the first sheet (40), and a flange of the pin abuts against the surface of the sheet (40) once the through-punching has been carried out, and the elastic returns of the shank of the pin (10) and the sheet (40) compress the outer surface of the shank, or by overmoulding the pin in the sheet, and subsequently a step of welding a metal tube of the pin (10) to the iron-based metal part (80) by bringing a flee end (24) of the metal tube into contact with the surface of the iron-based metal part (80) by means of electric resistance welding (90).

A joined article includes a first component having a laser-treated surface portion and a second component having a laser-treated surface portion. An adhesive joins the first component to the second component at the treated surface portion. A method of making a joined article form components and a system for making joined articles are also disclosed.

A recyclable polyethylene man-door comprises an interior panel and an exterior door panel, each panel having a horizontal pattern of cut-outs and optionally comprising a blend of mineral additives that do not adversely affect the recyclability of the finished product.

An end effector for welding composite components includes an end effector housing and a welding member mounted to the end effector housing. The end effector further includes a leading roller mounted to the end effector housing forward of the welding member and at least one follower roller mounted to the end effector housing aft of the welding member. The end effector further includes at least one first cooling air jet positioned to direct a first stream of cooling air toward the at least one follower roller.

A resistance welding apparatus can employ a modular power supply system with multiple power supply modules and leads for electrically connecting the modular power supply system to a welding resistor. The resistance welding apparatus is selectively configurable in at least three of (i) a first configuration in which the leads connect the first power supply module to the resistor and the second power supply module is disconnected from the resistor; (ii) a second configuration in which the leads connect the second power supply module to the resistor and the first power supply module is disconnected from the resistor; (iii) a third configuration in which the leads connect the first and second power supply modules to the resistor in series; and (iv) a fourth configuration in which the leads connect the first and second power supply modules to the resistor in parallel.