A hybrid shaping-and-energizing system, for use in efficiently joining together multiple workpieces while inhibiting establishment of weld material in unwanted areas. The system including a shaping tool configured to form at least one recess in a proximate workpiece of the workpieces to be joined, and a weld-energy applicator connected to the shaping tool and configured to apply weld energy to the proximate workpiece. The recess is formed, and weld energy applied, so that molten workpiece material becomes disposed within the recess, thereby inhibiting formation of weld material in any undesired position.

A reinforcement and/or lining method is provided, wherein a thermoplastic reinforcement and/or lining element is subject to mechanical energy impact and mechanical pressure by a tool so that reinforcement and/or lining material of the reinforcement and/or lining element is liquefied and pressed into porous material to reinforce the porous material. In at least one axial depth, the reinforcement and/or lining element is segmented as a function of the circumferential angle so that at this axial depth the circumferential wall of the initial opening in first regions is in contact with the reinforcement and/or lining element and in second regions is not in contact with the reinforcement and/or lining element.

The present disclosure is directed to a Friction Stir Welding device for welding one or more arcuate work pieces. The device including an arcuate boom, a friction stir welding head, and a saddle operatively coupling the welding head to the arcuate boom for moving the welding head with respect to the arcuate boom. The saddle may be coupled to the arcuate boom via a drive mechanism for moving the saddle, and the welding head that is coupled thereto, with respect to the arcuate boom. The welding head may also be provided with three degrees of freedom with respect to the arcuate boom so that the welding head can rotate, tilt and move linearly with respect to the arcuate boom.

The invention relates to the use of a low Tg compatible resin as an adhesive layer for the welding of a thermoplastic composite structure to a thermoplastic or thermoset structure. The invention is especially good for the welding of large parts, such as wind turbine halves and spar caps. A useful thermoplastic composite is one formed by the infusion and curing of long fibers by a reactive acrylic liquid resin system, such as ELIUM resin systems from Arkema.

A method that includes: arranging plastic and further workpieces (1, 3) such that an abutment surface (5) of the plastic workpiece (1) is abutted to a first surface (13) on the further workpiece (3) and a projection (7) on the plastic workpiece (1) extends through a through hole (17) in the further workpiece (3); linearly moving a friction tool (23) parallel to its rotational axis (25) such that a friction surface (31) on the tool (23) contacts a front surface (9) of the projection (7); linearly moving the tool (23) along the rotational axis (25) while rotating the tool (23) so that a pin (29) on the tool (23) penetrates and plasticizes the projection (7) as well as drives a portion of the plasticized projection (7) into an undercut (21) formed in the hole (17) of the further workpiece (3); and retracting the tool (23) from the projection (7).

A method of friction welding a workpiece to a fluid element includes the step of placing a workpiece weld surface in contact with a fluid element weld surface. The workpiece weld surface is driven in a predetermined pattern along the fluid element weld surface. Pressure is applied between the workpiece weld surface and the fluid element weld surface to produce friction and heat sufficient to raise the temperature of the weld surfaces to welding temperature. A weld bond is formed by stopping the driving of the workpiece weld surface while applying the pressure between the weld surfaces. Before and/or after the weld bond is formed, at least a portion of the workpiece is machined to form at least a portion of a fluid fitting configured to receive and sealingly attach to a pipe in a non-leaking manner to convey a flow of fluid therethrough.

A system and method of friction welding a workpiece. A curl forming die may be disposed proximate a first part and a second part. The curl forming die may form a curl that is generated when the first part is friction welded to the second part.

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body component, which comprises a basic element reinforced with a reinforcing element of fiber-reinforced plastics material. It is proposed that the basic element reinforced with the reinforcing element is a basic element of a pillar of a vehicle body or a roof element, the reinforcing element having a constant thickness or a variable thickness.

Strap welding system and method for welding two ends or sections of a strap around a bundle of articles or around a pressed bale. The strap welding system has a weld assembly for frictionally welding two ends of a plastic strap around a pressed bale. The weld assembly has a weld head with an upper weld jaw and a lower weld jaw, and wherein the lower weld jaw is supported, directly or indirectly, by a spring. A connecting piece for moving the lower weld jaw can optionally have a section with a connecting spring.

A joining method for joining a first member having a hole that is opened on at least one surface, to a second member including a material of which a melting temperature is lower than that of a constituent material of the first member, includes: laminating the second member on the first member so as to cover an opening of the hole; and introducing that material of the second member which is softened or melted into the hole through the opening and curing the material of the second member.