A welding apparatus is suitable for welding polymeric materials, and particularly but not exclusively those that may be thin or brittle. A welding apparatus is provided for welding polymeric materials along a weld zone of the polymeric material. The welding apparatus has a carrier for supplying heat to the weld zone to cause melting of the polymeric material, wherein the heating element is arranged to reciprocate relative to the carrier between a retracted and an extended configuration, such that as the element moves from the retracted to the extended configuration the heating element melts and penetrates the surface of the polymeric material. The carrier also has a trailing contact surface trailing the heating element along the weld zone arranged to constrain molten polymeric material in the weld zone. The heating element is also arranged to reciprocate relative to the trailing contact surface.

A method for connecting components having a fibre-reinforced thermoplastic plastic includes provision of a first component with a first joining surface, provision of a second component with a second joining surface, flush placement of the first joining surface against the second joining surface in order to form a connection joint, placement of a friction stir welding tool against the connection joint, or a surface directly adjacent thereto, of at least one of the components, softening of the first component and the second component, in each case in a region adjacent to the connection joint, by rotation of the tool, such that the thermoplastic plastic of the two components locally fuses, and movement of the tool along the connection joint for the purposes of connecting the two components by formation of a fusion seam, wherein portions of reinforcement fibres are stirred in to increase the strength of the fusion seam.

An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module and a second bonding module. The second bonding module is positionable in close proximity to the first bonding module for receiving a first nonwoven fabric, a second nonwoven fabric, and at least one elastic strand therebetween. The second bonding module has a face with a width dimension and a circumferential axis and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a plurality of ridges includes a first ridge and a pair of second ridges positioned on opposing sides of the first ridge along the circumferential axis. The first ridge defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches, and the second ridges are configured to sever the at least one elastic strand when in close proximity to the first bonding module.

A method is provided for producing a common connecting opening in two components, at least one of which is made from a plastically deformable material. In the method, at least the edge region of a first prefabricated opening of the first component is softened in order subsequently to introduce a mandrel which displaces the material softened by the heating so that a common connecting opening having a predetermined diameter is obtained.

A system for, and method making and repairing a fiber-reinforced component including bonding a first thermoplastic matrix possessing reinforcing fibers distributed therein to a second composite member possessing a thermoplastic matrix with reinforcing fibers distributed therein; and metals and more particularly a method and apparatuses for joining fiber reinforced thermoplastics utilizing a combination of heat, force and rotational force.

A centrifugal fan assembly for improving flow of air through a heat exchanger. The fan assembly comprises a first subassembly comprising a first impeller flange and a second subassembly comprising a second impeller flange. Any of the first and second impeller flanges comprise a plurality of integrally formed impeller blades. The impeller blades and the first and second impeller flanges constitute an impeller. At least one impeller blade arranged on one of the two impeller flanges comprises at least one tab arranged to mate with a corresponding inlet cone arranged on the other of the two impeller flanges. The least one tab is arranged to be deformed when in a mating position with the corresponding inlet cone, thereby securing the two subassemblies together.

A system, apparatus, or method for joining components is provided. The system applies force along an axis, with a friction pin, to a first substrate, such as with a joiner or joining apparatus. The system also frictionally melts a portion of the first substrate adjacent the friction pin by rotating the friction pin about the axis at a first speed within the first substrate. The system also applies force to the second substrate along the axis and frictionally melts a portion of the second substrate adjacent the friction pin by rotating the friction pin at a second speed within the second substrate. The system embeds a portion of the friction pin within the first substrate and the second substrate. In some configurations, the first speed and the second speed are substantially equivalent. In other configurations, the first speed is different from the second speed.

A method of manufacturing a heterogeneous composite includes the steps of providing a first constituent and a second constituent, wherein the first constituent is porous or capable of developing pores when under hydrostatic pressure, and the second constituent comprises a solid having thermoplastic properties; positioning the second constituent relative to the first constituent and coupling energy into the second constituent to cause at least portions of the second constituent to liquefy and to penetrate into pores or other structures of the first constituent, whereby the first constituent is interpenetrated by the second constituent to yield a composite; and, causing an irreversible transition at least of the second constituent to yield a modified composite.

A method for manufacturing components includes joining a first edge of a thermoplastic-containing first component part and a second edge of a thermoplastic-containing second component part to one another without any overlap. The first and the second edge are interconnected by friction stir welding. Friction stir welding involves rubbing a rotating friction stir welding pin against at least one metal object.

A method for solid state joining of dissimilar materials using a friction stir welding device wherein a pin is inserted through an aperture defined in a first material and a second material to hold the materials together and then held in place by friction stir welding a portion of the pin to a material adjacent said pin, or by friction stir welding a cap or plug that holds the pin in place to the adjacent material. The result is a connection or join wherein the central portion of the pin is not friction stir welded but the portions holding the pin in place (the ends or caps) generally are.