A device for the production of structural components from a fiber composite material, the components being three-dimensionally arched over a large surface, including a jig having a convex mounting surface having receiving channels for the insertion of structural components, wherein the loaded jig interacts with a laminating bonding device having a corresponding shape for forming the structural component under pressure, wherein the mounting surface includes a plurality of individually elastically deformable mounting shell parts arranged adjacent to each other along at least one longitudinally extending pitch line and attached to a plurality of elastically deformable supporting frame elements extending on the interior of the shell at a right angle to the pitch line, and a plurality of actuators for deforming the mounting surface between an extended position (A) and at least one retracted position (B) to move the jig from the bonding device relative to the receiving channels without undercuts.

A device and method for the fluid-tight sealing of two partially overlapping packaging components, one being a tubular base member formed from a blank of composite cardboard/plastics material, and an additional packaging component forming the upper packaging portion or packaging base, having at least one mandrel and one die, the mandrel having at least two expansion elements which are moved from the operating position thereof towards each other into a rest position, the expansion elements having sealing jaws which, in the operating position thereof, form a closed circumferential outer contour, which corresponds to an inner contour formed by an opening in the die, there remaining between the inner contour and outer contour a narrow annular gap in order to apply a pressing force from the inner side to the overlap region of the packaging components.

A method and apparatus for applying a force to an assembly comprising a layup mandrel and a composite part. The apparatus comprises a first gripper and a second gripper. The second gripper is spaced apart from the first gripper so as to define a space between the first and second grippers, the space configured to receive the assembly. An actuation system is positioned between the first and second grippers adjacent the space, the actuation system configured to separate the layup mandrel from the composite part by applying force.

A bladder mandrel package, used to manufacture a composite structure, includes a mandrel and a wrap ply, surrounding the mandrel to form a wrapped mandrel. The bladder mandrel package also includes a first radius filler, coupled to the wrap ply at a first radius of the wrapped mandrel, and a second radius filler coupled to the wrap ply at a second radius of the wrapped mandrel. The mandrel, the wrap ply, the first radius filler, and the second radius filler are consolidated to from the bladder mandrel package.

A mandrel for a molding process. The mandrel includes a first portion that has a first draft surface and a second draft surface. A second portion and a third portion are included. The second portion has a third draft surface and the third portion has a fourth draft surface wherein the first draft surface engages the third draft surface and the second draft surface engages the fourth draft surface. A channel extends along a length of the mandrel at an interface between the first, second, and third portions such that the second portion does not contact the third portion.

There is provided a method for non-penetration joining of members. The method includes: keeping a joining member having a protruding part by a receiving mold so that the protruding part is exposed; placing a joined member over the joining member so that the protruding part of the joining member is positioned in a blind hole of the joined member, and compressing the joined member against the receiving mold to plastically deform the joined member and the joining member at the same time and to wrap excess thickness of the joined member around an undercut part while forming the undercut part on the joining member, thereby non-detachably joining both the members.

A mandrel for a molding process. The mandrel includes a first portion that has a first draft surface and a second draft surface. A second portion and a third portion are included. The second portion has a third draft surface and the third portion has a fourth draft surface wherein the first draft surface engages the third draft surface and the second draft surface engages the fourth draft surface. A channel extends along a length of the mandrel at an interface between the first, second, and third portions such that the second portion does not contact the third portion.

A system includes a mandrel contoured to define a tapering tubular shape of a workpiece cured on the mandrel and a demolding tool. The demolding tool is configured to remove the workpiece from the mandrel after the workpiece is cured on the mandrel and cut longitudinally. The demolding tool is configured to remove the workpiece from the mandrel by deforming a first end of the workpiece to at least partially disengage the first end of the workpiece from a first end of the mandrel, and subsequently, deforming a second end of the workpiece to at least partially disengage the second end of the workpiece from a second end of the mandrel. The first end of the workpiece may have a first cross-sectional area that is smaller than a second cross-sectional area of the second end of the workpiece.

Collection of biological fluids. At least one example is a polymeric sleeve including: an elongate body that defines a main passageway; an internal chamber defined within the main passageway; a first flange suspended within the internal chamber at a first position along the longitudinal central axis; and an aperture through the first flange, the aperture at least partially aligned with the longitudinal central axis.

A method for removing a hollow support element (17) from within a moulded part (15) to form a cavity (25) within the moulded part, the hollow support element being disposed within the moulded part and composed of material having a softening temperature, the method comprising: heating a liquid (20) to a temperature at least equal to the softening temperature of the material; injecting the heated liquid into an opening (24) in the moulded part to deform the material; and removing deformed material and liquid from the cavity.