A method for joining a device to an object with the aid of a combination of ultrasonic vibration energy and induction heating, wherein the device includes a portion of a thermoplastic polymer and a susceptor additive wherein this portion is at least partly liquefied or plasticized through the ultrasonic vibration energy in combination with the induction heating and wherein the joining includes establishing a connection between the device and the object which connection is at least one of a positive fit connection, a weld, a press fit connection, and an adhesive connection. The induction heating is applied for rendering the device portion suitable for absorption of ultrasonic vibration energy than other device portions by raising its temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer. The ultrasonic vibration energy is used for liquefying or at least plasticizing the thermoplastic polymer of the named device portion.

The present disclosure is concerned with a method of forming a seal with a polyethylene based film structure. The polyethylene based film structure has at least one layer formed with an oriented polyethylene having a predetermined melting temperature (T.sub.m). A conductive heat sealing device provides heat to form the seal, where a first sealing bar of the conductive heat sealing device operates at a first operating temperature of at least 10 degrees Celsius (? C.) below the T.sub.m of the oriented polyethylene in the polyethylene based film structure and a second sealing bar of the conductive heat sealing device operates at a second operating temperature of at least 15? C. higher than the operating temperature of the first sealing bar. The seal formed with the polyethylene based film structure retains at least 99 percent of its original surface area prior to forming the seal.

Devices and methods for producing sandwich composite materials having at least one layer of plastic disposed between at least two outer metallic covering layers may comprise providing at least two semifinished products coated with plastic on one side, activating at least one of the plastic-coated sides of the metallic covering layers directly from the side of the covering layer having the plastic-coating, and connecting the plastic-coated sides of the metallic covering layers to form the sandwich composite material. The activation of the plastic may be performed by way of a heat source that utilizes an activation medium, radiation, or plasma, for example.

A resin film laminated on a support film is attached to the surface of a substrate having a pattern of unevenness. Firstly, the substrate is placed on a stage with the surface side up. Secondly, the resin film is placed so as to face the surface of the substrate and the surface is scanned with a roller while the resin film is pressed against the surface from the side of the support film to bring them into contact with each other. Surface temperatures of the stage and the roller are set to form a temperature gradient such that the temperature of the surface of the resin film to be attached to the surface of the substrate becomes not lower than the softening temperature of the resin film and the temperature of the surface of the support film side becomes lower than the softening temperature of the resin film.

Described is a heating device for thermally connecting a pipe, which has a first plastic material, to a bushing, which has a second plastic material, and which surrounds at least a section of the pipe, wherein an inductively heatable heating means is located between the pipe and the bushing and/or integrated in the pipe and/or the bushing. The heating device has a coil arrangement, which is excitable by a generator, and which has a first coil, which has at least one complete winding within a first cross-sectional area, and a second coil, which is electrically coupled to the first coil, and which has at least one complete winding within a second cross-sectional area. The first cross-sectional area is different from the second cross-sectional area. Furthermore, a heating system having such a heating device as well as a method for thermally connecting a pipe to a bushing are described.

A machine and method for converting film into bags or other articles includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar with a sealing zone and a weakening zone, or it can include or at least one sealing die that extends in the machine direction. The single sealing zone or sealing die may be a heated perforator, and may include a heating wire. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire stitched into the heater, and be disposed on a cap or on the seal bar. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity. The sealing zone may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.

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.

A dynamic induction welding installation for welding first and second workpieces in a weld zone (S), the second workpiece being placed between a lightning protection system and the first workpiece, the workpieces including a composite material, the installation having an induction heating device placed on one side of the first workpiece facing away from the second workpiece and configured to create a magnetic field (Bi) so as to form the weld in the weld zone (S), and a medium placed in contact with the lightning protection system on a side opposite to the second workpiece, the medium being configured so as to be capable of generating a reaction magnetic field (B.sub.2) at least partially opposing the magnetic field (B.sub.1) in at least a part of the lightning protection system.

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.

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.