A welder for joining two polymeric sheets together using a wedged heating element allows for a heating profile on opposite faces of the heating element to be varied by controlling where each of the polymeric sheets contacts the corresponding face.

An assembly to repair a thermoplastic composite. The assembly includes a heating device positioned on opposing sides of the thermoplastic composite. The heating device includes one or more susceptor with a Curie temperature to heat the thermoplastic composite. A pressure device applies a compressive force to the heating device. A pressure distribution device is positioned between the heating device and the thermoplastic composite. The pressure distribution device distributes the compressive force from the pressure device over areas of the opposing sides of thermoplastic composite.

A system and method for thermoplastic composite welding comprising a cooling means and a heat source. The cooling means cools a heat-side laminate so as to create a thermal gradient in the heat-side laminate. The heat source heats the heat-side laminate after the cooling step is initiated but before the thermal gradient dissipates so that a first side of the heat-side laminate closer to the heat source does not deform as faying surfaces of the heat-side laminate and another laminate farther away from the heat source are welded together.

The embodiment provides a heat-sealing apparatus and a method of accurately controlling heat sealing temperature by measuring the temperature using a heat-sealing apparatus which heat-seals a pair of heat seal materials by nipping them between a pair of heating bodies. The method of heat-sealing includes mounting a cover material on the surface of at least one of the heating bodies to be in contact with the heat seal material, attaching a minute temperature sensor to the surface of the cover material on the side to be in contact with the heat seal material, and controlling temperature of welding face by the temperature detected by the minute temperature sensor, and an apparatus therefor.

Exemplary embodiments relate to various improvements in soft robotic actuators, and techniques for manufacturing the improvements. For example, techniques for manufacturing a rigidizing layer for reinforcing a soft robotic actuator is provided. In another embodiment, a soft robotic actuator having integrated sensors is described. A flexible electroadhesive pad for achieving a conformal grip is also described. Still further, exemplary embodiments provide hydraulically-actuated soft robotic grippers, which allows for a reduction in the size of the actuation system and improved underwater operation.

In a manufacturing method of an assembly, the assembly including a metal part and a pipe, the pipe including a material containing a resin, an adhesive is first adhered to an outer circumferential surface of the pipe and a metal part covering at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the pipe. Here, an area to which the adhesive is adhered on the outer circumferential surface of the pipe is defined as an adhesion area. Next, by a heat source provided inside the pipe, a target area is heated without interposing the metal part. The target area is located radially interior to the adhesion area and located on an inner circumferential surface of the pipe.

A method for producing a tube skirt for a flexible tube, said tube skirt being manufactured from a flat strip 1 comprising a decorative film 15 superimposed on a primary film 16, said primary film 16 comprising a sealable inner layer 14 at the lower surface 20 of the strip 1 as well as two stabilizing layers 11, 13, said decorative film 15 comprising a sealable outer layer 7 at the upper surface 19 of the strip 1, and a decorative layer 8, 9. This method comprises the following steps: winding the flat strip 1 into the form of a sleeve to shape the tube skirt; superimposing a first side border 2 of the strip 1 on a second side border 2 of the strip 1 to form an overlapping area 3, the sealable inner layer 14 of the primary film 16 of the first side border 2 overlapping the sealable outer layer 7 of the decorative film 15 of the second side border 2; applying a heating temperature T2 to the inside of the tube skirt at the inner face 22 of the overlapping area 3 to produce the side weld of the tube skirt; simultaneously with the application of the heating temperature T2, applying compression between the outer 21 and inner 22 faces of the overlapping area 3 so as to finalize the side weld of the tube skirt.

An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

An exterior body panel assembly having a Class A painted surface, mold-in color or non-Class A surface, and process of infrared welding components of the assembly. Panels of the assembly are placed on a nesting structure and the inside half of the structures are brought together with the other for a fit check. Panels are separated and an infrared heating fixture then heats the various areas to be heated on the panels. The areas on the panels are heated depending on the thicknesses of the parts at each area and surface geometries to be welded. The parts are immediately clamped back together under pressure for joining and cooling of the joined surfaces in the clamped arrangement.