A composition including at least one polyamide polymer obtained from at least one reactive polyamide prepolymer including at least one chain extender (PA.sub.1-All.sub.1-PA.sub.1), the polyamide polymer being prepared at a temperature T.sub.1 no lower than the temperature melting temperature or glass transition temperature of the polymer and having a mean molecular weight Mn.sub.1. The composition has a melt viscosity which can be modulated according to the temperature to which the composition is exposed, wherein the temperature is between T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 being higher than T.sub.1, and the melt viscosity η.sub.2 or η′.sub.3 observed at the temperature T.sub.2 or T.sub.3, respectively, being lower than the melt viscosity η.sub.2 or η.sub.3 of the polyamide polymer, which does not include a chain extender and has the same mean molecular weight Mn.sub.1(PA.sub.1) observed at the same temperature T.sub.2 or T.sub.3. The composition includes one or more polyamides.

A composition including at least one polyamide polymer obtained from at least one reactive polyamide prepolymer including at least one chain extender (PA.sub.1-All.sub.1-PA.sub.1), the polyamide polymer being prepared at a temperature T.sub.1 no lower than the temperature melting temperature or glass transition temperature of the polymer and having a mean molecular weight Mn.sub.1. The composition has a melt viscosity which can be modulated according to the temperature to which the composition is exposed, wherein the temperature is between T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 being higher than T.sub.1, and the melt viscosity η.sub.2 or η′.sub.3 observed at the temperature T.sub.2 or T.sub.3, respectively, being lower than the melt viscosity η.sub.2 or η.sub.3 of the polyamide polymer, which does not include a chain extender and has the same mean molecular weight Mn.sub.1(PA.sub.1) observed at the same temperature T.sub.2 or T.sub.3. The composition includes one or more polyamides.

A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material.

A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material.

A fiber material is filled into a cavity of a tool to produce a product from the fiber material. The tool comprises a mold which defines the cavity therein and a holder which supports the mold. The holder is displaced to move the mold to at least one thermal treatment station The fiber material is thermally treated in the mold at the at least one thermal treatment station.

In one aspect, there is a method of making a composite skin for a tiltrotor aircraft including providing a first skin in a mold, the first skin having a periphery defined by a forward edge, an aft edge, and outboard ends; providing a plurality of honeycomb panels having an array of large cells onto the first skin, each cell having a width of at least 1 cm; assembling the plurality of honeycomb panels along the longitudinal axis of the first skin to form a honeycomb core having an outer perimeter within the periphery of the first skin; positioning a second skin onto the honeycomb core, the second skin having an outer perimeter within the periphery of the first skin; and curing an adhesive to create a bond between the first skin, the honeycomb core, and the second skin to form a composite skin.

According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.

According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.

A carbon fibre vehicle wheel including a wheel body having a rim portion and a face portion, the rim portion having an annulus structure configured to receive and seat a tyre. The face portion includes a hub configured to fix the wheel to the vehicle. A connection structure extends between and interconnects the hub and the rim. The wheel body has an inner side configured to face a wheel mount of the vehicle, and an outer side configured to face outwardly when connected to the wheel mount. The wheel body embodies a first carbon fibre composite composition including a carbon fibre layup infused with a first resin, and a fascia layer attached to at least a portion of the face portion of the outer side of the wheel body. The fascia layer embodies a second fibre composite composition including a selected fibre layup infused with a second resin.

An apparatus for impregnating fiber structures with a matrix material includes a lower part having a bath for receiving the matrix material and a draining unit. The draining unit includes a wiper having a wiping edge, over which the impregnated fiber structure is guided during operation, and a surface inclined in the direction of the bath, by which matrix material draining from the fiber structure can return into the bath. The draining unit includes a cover on which a deflection unit, by which the fiber structure is pressed into the bath when the cover is mounted, is mounted. When the cover is mounted, a gap is formed between the cover and the lower part on the sides by which the fiber structure is guided into the apparatus and emerges from the apparatus. A method for impregnating fiber structures with a matrix material is also disclosed.