An object of the present invention is to provide a prepreg and a laminate for producing a laminate suitable as a structural material, which have excellent compressive strength and interlaminar fractural toughness values, and can be firmly integrated with another structural member by welding. The present invention provides a prepreg including the following structural components [A] reinforcing fibers, [B] a thermosetting resin, and [C] a thermoplastic resin, in which [B] has a rubbery state elastic modulus of 10 MPa or more at a temperature obtained by adding 50° C. to a glass transition temperature in a state in which a degree of cure is 90% or more, [C] is present in a surface of the prepreg, and the reinforcing fibers [A] are present, which are included in a resin area including {B] and a resin area including [C] across an interface between the two resin areas.

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 composite article includes a first segment and a second segment spaced apart form the first segment. The composite article includes continuous fibers that extend from the first segment to the second segment. The composite article also includes discontinuous fiber distributed throughout the composite article.

A method of manufacturing an impregnated fibrous material including a fibrous material made of continuous fibers and at least one thermoplastic polymer matrix, the method including pre-impregnating the fibrous material while it is in the form of a roving or several parallel rovings with the thermoplastic material and heating the thermoplastic matrix for melting, or maintaining in the molten state, the thermoplastic polymer after pre-impregnation, the at least one heating step being carried out by means of at least one heat-conducting spreading part (E) and at least one heating system, with the exception of a heated calendar, the roving or the rovings being in contact with part or all of the surface of the at least one spreading part (E) and partially or wholly passing over the surface of the at least one spreading part (E) at the level of the heating system.

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.

Methods of manufacturing of aerospace structures are disclosed. More specifically, methods of manufacturing relatively lightweight yet strong aerospace structures. In one embodiment, the method includes the addition of a volume of a rigid and flexible polyurethane mixture into a mold to create a composite structure. In one aspect, the method includes the integration of special structures within a larger structure to remove traditionally structurally weak or vulnerable areas.

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 of assembly of a carbon fiber space frame structure eliminates the need for gusset plates at the joints of the space frame structure. The elimination of the gusset plates at the joints of the space frame structure reduces the weight of the space frame structure and eliminates stresses that occur at the joints due to gusset plates attached at the joints.

Systems and methods for making an antenna reflector. The methods comprise: obtaining a Carbon Nano-Tube (CNT) material; cutting the CNT material into a plurality of wedge shaped pieces; and bonding together the wedge shaped pieces using a resin film adhesive to form the antenna reflector with a three dimensional contoured surface.

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.