A composite panel configured for use with a sidewall of a trailer includes an outer metal sheet, an inner metal sheet, and a core member positioned between the inner and outer metal sheets. The core member includes a plurality of apertures formed therethrough such that each aperture extends from an inner surface of the core member to an outer surface of the core member. Illustratively, the plurality of apertures is covered by the inner and outer metal sheets.

The present disclosure pertains to a window panel for a body structure of a vehicle, especially an airframe of an aircraft or spacecraft, including a first skin which extends over a first side of the panel to form an outer skin of the vehicle body structure; a second skin which extends over a second side of the panel to form an inner skin of the vehicle body structure; and a core, especially a foam core, located between and covered by the first and second skins in a sandwich structure. The window panel includes at least one window aperture formed through the first layer, the core, and the second layer. The core may be confined to or extends over a limited extent, region or part of the panel. Thus, the first skin and/or the second skin may extend over or cover a greater area of the panel than the core.

A method to cast in place an internally threaded hole in an open cell core of a sandwich structural composite panel enables a threaded fastener to be secured to the sandwich structural composite panel without requiring a separate insert for the fastener.

A method is provided for exchanging a section, in particular a damaged section, of a plastic component. The method includes: separating the section from the plastic component; providing at least one connecting element made from a plastic; pressing the at least one connecting element onto the plastic component such that the one connecting element abuts a remaining part of the plastic component; oscillating the connecting element by an ultrasonic sonotrode; and welding the connecting element to the remaining part of the plastic component; providing a replacement section for the separated section, wherein the replacement section has a hole, in particular a through-hole; applying the replacement section in the region from which the separated section was separated, such that the replacement section is clamped by its hole directly in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner onto the connecting element and/or the connecting element extends at least some way through the through-hole, wherein a clip element is clipped onto a section of the connecting element extending through the hole. The clip element projects beyond the through-hole and connects the replacement part to the remaining part of the plastic component in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner.

The invention concerns a process for the production of a container, in particular a fuel tank of thermoplastic material, by extrusion blow molding, wherein during shaping of the container within a multi-part tool the container is provided with at least one connecting element passing through the wall thereof, wherein with at least a part of the connecting element as a lost shaping male die the wall of the container is displaced from one side into a tool placed on the oppositely side of the container wall and removed. The invention further concerns a fuel tank with at least one connecting element which is connected to the tank wall at least in region-wise manner by intimate joining of the materials involved.

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 embossing tool consisting of a mandrel and embossing assembly.

A forming station for a thermoform packaging machine, wherein the forming station comprises a forming tool upper part and a forming tool lower part that are each configured for cooperating so as to thermoform a film positioned between the forming tool lower part and the forming tool upper part. The forming station includes a first change bar that is adapted to be releasably attached to a reception area of the forming tool lower part and the first change bar carries a plurality of punches or blades.

A biodegradable and biocompatible nontoxic polymeric composition is provide which includes a base material such as a crystallizable polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer, and a copolymer or terpolymer additive. Medical devices manufactured from the composition are also provided.

A method of forming a blow molded plastic article wherein the article comprises an airflow conduit, comprising: providing a first sheet of insulation material located on a insulation carrier; providing a blow molding mold including two halves and having a molding surface defining a molding cavity to form the article; locating the insulation carrier between the two halves of the blow molding mold; transferring the first sheet of insulation material from the insulation carrier to the blow molding mold; introducing an extrudate of thermoplastic composition between the two halves of the blow molding mold; closing the blow molding mold; forming the extrudate to a shape of the mold cavity of the blow molding mold to form the article; and bonding the extrudate to the first sheet of insulation material as the extrudate is being formed to the shape of the mold cavity.