Disclosed herein are induction heating cells and methods of using these cells for processing. An induction heating cell may be used for processing (e.g., consolidating and/or curing a composite layup having a non-planar portion. The induction heating cell comprises a caul, configured to position over and conform to this non-planar portion. Furthermore, the cell comprises a mandrel, configured to position over the caul and force the caul again the surface of the feature. The CTE of the caul may be closer to the CTE of the composite layup than to the CTE of the mandrel. As such, the caul isolates the composite layup from the dimensional changes of the mandrel, driven by temperature fluctuations. At the same time, the caul may conform to the surface of the mandrel, which can be used to define the shape and transfer pressure to the non-planar portion.

An adhesive and method for injection or compression bonding, where the adhesive is based on a grafted polypropylene resin and at least one of maleimide compound, phenolic resin, blocked isocyanate, functionalized silane, or an epoxy resin.

A method for inserting an insert into a hole in a composite material made from a plurality of carbon fiber layers suspended in a resin material includes lowering a temperature of the insert to a reduced temperature at which a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material of the insert causes the insert to contract to a first perimeter, inserting the insert at the reduced temperature into the hole, and permitting the temperature of the insert to increase from the reduced temperature to an operational temperature. At the operational temperature, the insert expands to a second perimeter so that the insert is retained within the composite material due to an interference between the insert and the composite material. The interference transfers a structural load from the insert to the composite material and results in damage to the composite material if the insert is dislodged at the operational temperature.

A method for inserting an insert into a hole in a composite material made from a plurality of carbon fiber layers suspended in a resin material includes lowering a temperature of the insert to a reduced temperature at which a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material of the insert causes the insert to contract to a first perimeter, inserting the insert at the reduced temperature into the hole, and permitting the temperature of the insert to increase from the reduced temperature to an operational temperature. At the operational temperature, the insert expands to a second perimeter so that the insert is retained within the composite material due to an interference between the insert and the composite material. The interference transfers a structural load from the insert to the composite material and results in damage to the composite material if the insert is dislodged at the operational temperature.

Provided are extrusion tools such as extrusion dies or portions thereof having a surface with at least one coating thereon, and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The at least one coating is formed from a composition that is a metal aluminum nitride or carbonitride with particular characteristics such that the amount of aluminum varies within the coating between a coating outer surface and an intermediate thickness within the coating. The resulting coatings have tailored physical and performance characteristics that result in improved wear and extrusion performance.

A film fin sealing device is disclosed herein which may have a groove defining a base. The base of the groove of the fin sealing device may be oriented at a skewed angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the conveyor of a heat sealing machine. Edges of a thermoplastic sheet or two stacked layers of thermoplastic sheets are introduced into the groove of the film fin sealing device and placed in contact therewith to both heat and fuse the distal edge portions of the thermoplastic sheet(s) to join the edge portions thereof to form a fin seal.

A film fin sealing device is disclosed herein which may have a groove defining a base. The base of the groove of the fin sealing device may be oriented at a skewed angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the conveyor of a heat sealing machine. Edges of a thermoplastic sheet or two stacked layers of thermoplastic sheets are introduced into the groove of the film fin sealing device and placed in contact therewith to both heat and fuse the distal edge portions of the thermoplastic sheet(s) to join the edge portions thereof to form a fin seal.

Disclosed herein are induction heating cells and methods of using these cells for processing. An induction heating cell may be used for processing (e.g., consolidating and/or curing a composite layup having a non-planar portion. The induction heating cell comprises a caul, configured to position over and conform to this non-planar portion. Furthermore, the cell comprises a mandrel, configured to position over the caul and force the caul again the surface of the feature. The CTE of the caul may be closer to the CTE of the composite layup than to the CTE of the mandrel. As such, the caul isolates the composite layup from the dimensional changes of the mandrel, driven by temperature fluctuations. At the same time, the caul may conform to the surface of the mandrel, which can be used to define the shape and transfer pressure to the non-planar portion.

The present invention is directed to a 3D-printed tire segment model having a tread portion comprising a plurality of grooves, ribs and/or tread blocks, and a plurality of blades extending out of the ribs and/or tread blocks, wherein the tire segment model is made of a 3D-printed polymer. Moreover, the present invention is drawn to a method of making a tire mold segment, including the step of 3D-printing the above tire segment model with a polymer.

A molding device includes a lower mold seat including a lower mounting portion, a lower die core assembly mounted in the lower mounting portion and including a lower die core unit defining a mold cavity, an upper mold seat including an upper mounting portion, an upper die core assembly mounted in the upper mounting portion and including an upper die core unit covering the mold cavity, and upper and lower heating units respectively including upper and lower high-frequency heating members respectively inducing eddy current in at least one of the lower die core unit and the lower mold seat and at least one of the upper die core unit and the upper mold seat.