A method for locating a material having thermoplastic properties in pores of bone tissue includes providing a pin having the material having thermoplastic properties and a core, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is arranged on the circumferential surface of the core constituting an outer region of the pin. An opening is provided in the bone tissue, and the pin is positioned at least partly in the opening. The outer region of the pin is then impinged with mechanical vibration energy for a time sufficient for liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, and, in a liquefied state, pressing it into the pores of the bone tissue surrounding the opening. The vibration energy is stopped for a time sufficient for re-solidification of the liquefied material, and then the core is removed.

The present invention provides a thermal caulking device which cats quickly heat and cool an object to be caulked with low electrical power. Provided is a thermal caulking device which caulks a portion of a plastic part 7 as an object to be caulked, the thermal caulking device including: a metal tip 3 having a pressing part 3a which presses the object to be caulked and a heating rod 3c which is provided upright at a center part of the pressing part 3a; heating means 10c for heating the heating rod 3c; a cooling pipe 9 which cools the heating rod 3c; cooling fluid supply means 4 for supplying a cooling fluid to the cooling pipe 9; a holder 1 which holds the metal tip 3 and the cooling pipe 9 so that the cooling pipe 9 delivers the cooling fluid toward the heating rod 3c; and control means 6 for controlling the heating means 10c and the cooling fluid supply means 4, wherein the control means 6 heats the pressing part 3a from the heating rod 3c by the heating means 10c, and after the object to be caulked is thermally caulked by the pressing part 3a, supplies the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid supply means 4 to the cooling pipe 9 to cool the pressing part 3a from the heating rod 3c.

A composite laminate reinforcing tool may be used to form a reinforced joint at a bond line of a composite laminate structure. The tool may hold one or more clips having posts, and the tool may be positioned along the bond line between at least two composite laminate elements. Joint sections of the clip may be heated to increase a pliability of the joint section, and the tool may be actuated to drive the post through the at least two composite laminate elements. The posts may be deflected toward a base of the clip, thereby to seat the clip. The reinforced composite laminate structure may then be cured.

A method of manufacturing a door for a vehicle includes molding a door inner panel using a polymer composite; molding a door frame assembly using an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy, the door frame assembly defining a space to be opened or closed by a door glass; molding a door outer panel using an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy; molding an impact beam using an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy, the impact beam serving to increase rigidity of a side surface of the door; coupling the molded door frame assembly and the molded impact beam to the door inner panel; and coupling the door inner panel, which is coupled to the door frame assembly and the impact beam, to the door outer panel.

A method is provided for plastic forming of a ball which forms a connecting element or part of a connecting element intended for connecting at least two components. At least some of the energy required for the plastic forming of the ball is introduced into the ball by way of ultrasound.

A method for locating a material having thermoplastic properties in pores of bone tissue includes providing a pin having the material having thermoplastic properties and a core, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is arranged on the circumferential surface of the core constituting an outer region of the pin. An opening is provided in the bone tissue, and the pin is positioned at least partly in the opening. The outer region of the pin is then impinged with mechanical vibration energy for a time sufficient for liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, and, in a liquefied state, pressing it into the pores of the bone tissue surrounding the opening. The vibration energy is stopped for a time sufficient for re-solidification of the liquefied material, and then the core is removed.

A composite laminate reinforcing tool may be used to form a reinforced joint at a bond line of a composite laminate structure. The tool may hold one or more clips having posts, and the tool may be positioned along the bond line between at least two composite laminate elements. Joint sections of the clip may be heated to increase a pliability of the joint section, and the tool may be actuated to drive the post through the at least two composite laminate elements. The posts, may deflect toward a base of the clip, thereby to seat the clip. The reinforced composite laminate structure may then be cured.

Composite fasteners, associated blanks and also methods and apparatus for the installation of such fasteners are disclosed. An exemplary composite rivet (10) disclosed comprises an elongated body including braided reinforcement fibers (14) embedded inside the body and supported in a matrix material (16). Also disclosed are structural assemblies comprising composite fasteners and panels or other parts comprising composite and/or other materials.

A method of joining multiple components is disclosed. The method includes arranging a first component having a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a feature, in contact with a second component having a first surface, an opposing second surface, and defining an aperture. When so arranged, the first surface of the first component is adjacent to the second surface of the second component. The method also includes positioning a fastener on the first surface of the second component and in contact with the feature of the first component, such that at least a portion of the fastener overlaps the aperture on the first surface of the second component. The method additionally includes abutting and fusing the fastener to the feature of the first component to thereby affix the first component to the second component.

There is provided a joined body in which two or more members Yi including a fitting hole are fastened, in which a fastening rod including reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic resin is positioned in the fitting hole, the fastening rod is caulked by heat, and the members Yi are caulking-fastened.