A method of constructing an inflatable fluidic actuator that includes generating a tube configuration with one or more shapes of fluid-impermeable membrane material, the tube configuration having a first tube end and a second tube end and an internal tube face and an external tube face. The method also includes coupling a first and second interface to the tube configuration at the first and second tube ends by respectively coupling each interface to the tube configuration at a respective tube end by generating at least one of: a first circumferential bond between the fluid-impermeable membrane material and one or more sidewalls of the interface; and an external face bond between fluid-impermeable membrane material at the tube end onto an external face of the interface.

A method and apparatus for constructing a tubular assembly 40 comprising an inner portion (24) and a further portion (23) surrounding the inner portion. The inner portion (24) comprises reinforcement (37) and the further portion (23) being formed from a strip (50) of material comprising two opposed longitudinal marginal side portions (53). The apparatus comprises an assembly station (220) comprising a wall (253). The apparatus comprises means for advancing the inner portion (21) along a first path (231) extending passed the wall (253), and means for advancing the strip (50) along a second path (232) and causing the strip to encircle the wall (253) and thereby wrap about and surround the inner portion (21). The apparatus further comprises means (321) for introducing resinous binder into the reinforcement (37) as the strip (50) is being wrapped about the inner portion (21).

A cover layer is joined to an object by a pressing force and mechanical vibration. The cover layer has a cover layer contact surface, and the object has an object contact surface, and the cover layer contact surface and the object contact surface face each other. At least one of the cover layer and the object include a joining material. The cover layer contact surface is brought into contact with the object contact surface, and a sonotrode presses the cover layer against the object and applies mechanical vibration to an outer surface of the cover layer for a time sufficient for activating the joining material. Cover layer and object are conveyed relative to the sonotrode in a continuous manner in a conveying direction throughout the steps of arranging, of bringing into contact, of pressing and of applying vibration.

A sprinkler assembly includes a sprinkler body and a tubular connection fitting. The tubular connection fitting includes a first end for connection to a fluid supply pipe and a second end with the sprinkler body inserted therein, the tubular member including an outer surface and an inner surface defining an internal conduit extending along a longitudinal axis, the inner surface of the tubular member includes a first stop surface spaced from the first end to define an insertion depth for the fluid supply pipe and a second stop surface to limit insertion of the sprinkler body into the second end. The first stop surface defines an annular channel for housing an end of the fluid supply pipe.

A fiber bundle joining apparatus includes: a support table configured to hold a terminal end portion side of a first fiber bundle; a roller mechanism having a roller around which a leading end portion side of a second fiber bundle is capable of being wound; a movement mechanism configured to perform a first movement for moving the roller mechanism to the vicinity of the terminal end portion side of the first fiber bundle, and a second movement for further moving the roller mechanism on the terminal end portion side of the first fiber bundle to create a state where the leading end portion side of the second fiber bundle is stacked on the terminal end portion side of the first fiber bundle; and a thermocompression bonding mechanism configured to pressure-bond the first fiber bundle and the second fiber bundle.

An assembly to manufacture a roll of prepreg material. The assembly includes a moving system for picking a sheet of prepreg material from a stack of sheets and moving the sheet along a feed path. An alignment system aligns a leading edge of the sheets with a trailing edge of a roll of the prepreg material. A welding system connects the sheet to the roll.

A band includes a tubular body configured to be worn on a user's body and a pocket supported by the tubular body, where the pocket defines a cavity and has an access opening providing access to the cavity, and where the pocket is configured to removably receive an electronic module in the cavity through the access opening. An input device is connected to the tubular body and has a port exposed to the cavity of the band, where the port is configured for removable connection to a connector of the electronic module when the electronic module is received in the cavity. The input device may include a button configured to receive user input and a wireless transmitter to transmit a signal to an external device based on the user input. The input device may also include a haptic feedback mechanism for communicating haptic signals to the user.

A portable table top welder for welding plastic material webs, the portable table top welder including a frame including a carrier housing and a support arm at which a welding device is arranged; at least one transport roller including a rotatable transport roller axle and at least one contact pressure roller that is rotatably supported at the carrier housing, wherein a weight is arranged at an eccentrical element which is rotatably connected at one side by a concentrically supported eccentrical element axle at the carrier housing and rotatably connected at another side by an eccentrically supported contact pressure roller axle at the contact pressure roller. The table top welder handles and transports easily and can be mounted on a table or on another carrier structure in a disengageable manner.

An assembly to connect together first and second sheet members. The assembly includes a pressure device that applies pressure to the sheet members while the sheet members are in an overlapping arrangement and positioned on a support platform. A sensing system that includes one or more thin film pressure sensors detects the positions of the leading and trailing edges. A connection device connects the members together in an overlapping arrangement.

A treated liquid crystal polymer resin sheet includes a main surface, a non-fiberized portion in which fibrous crystalline portions and a non-crystalline portion filling a gap between the crystalline portions are provided, and a fiberized portion in which the fibrous crystalline portions is exposed at the main surface with a gap between the crystalline portions that is unfilled.