A method and apparatus for manufacturing a welded resin article which includes (a) bringing first and second resin members to come into contact with each other; (b) applying laser light to the first and second resin members while moving the laser light relative to the first and second resin members; (c1) obtaining a value corresponding to the intensity of infrared light from a plurality of locations on a surface; (d) successively calculating, as a section average, the average of a predetermined number of successive values, among those obtained from the plurality of locations corresponding to the intensity of the infrared light; (e) a step of successively calculating a deviation judgment value; and (f) a step of successively judging whether or not the deviation judgment value falls within a predetermined judgment threshold range.

The present invention provides systems, methods, and apparatus for a vacuum tool having a switchable plate, such that a common vacuum tool may be adapted with different plates. A switchable plate may form the entirety of the vacuum tool's material contacting surface or a switchable plate may form a portion of the material contacting surface. The vacuum tool is effective for picking and placing one or more manufacturing parts utilizing a vacuum force.

A process for manufacturing a hollow body including a thermoplastic wall and a fibrous reinforcement welded on at least one portion of the surface of the wall, or its outer surface, the fibrous reinforcement including a thermoplastic similar to or compatible with that of the wall of the hollow body, having a thickness of at least 1 mm and from 30 to 60% in weight of fibers, the method including heating a portion of the outer surface of the hollow body where the reinforcement will be welded; heating the fibrous reinforcement to soften or melt the thermoplastic of the reinforcement; and moving the reinforcement and applying the reinforcement to the portion of the outer surface of the hollow body. The applying the reinforcement includes: applying an initial pressure on at least one portion of the reinforcement; and applying pressure for a final welding using robotized pressure applying mechanism.

Method for manufacturing a reinforced part, including the steps of: producing a support structure and then covering the support structure, at least partially, with at least one composite material including reinforcement fibres, with local adhesion of the support structure and/or the composite material, during positioning thereof, to ensure its retention on the support structure, the support structure being an integral part of the reinforcing part.

The invention first relates to a method for welding at least two parts comprising a thermoplastic material and having respective surfaces to be welded, comprising: inserting an insert between the surfaces to be welded of the two parts; generating heat via said insert; wherein the insert moves in relation to the parts to be welded in a welding direction. The invention also relates to an installation adapted for implementation of this method.

The invention relates to a system and process of the sealing of an area of an object intended to be covered, such as an opening slot, by a sealing strip which becomes adhesive in an excited state when subjected to ultrasound. This procedure comprises the steps of: supplying a sealing strip between an object and a sonotrode having a linear application area; supporting or pressing the linear application area of the sonotrode with the sealing strip to thereby adhere the sealing strip area, which is in contact with the linear application area of the sonotrode, to a corresponding area of the object; and displacing the object in relation to the sonotrode according to a profile of the sealing area, so as to apply the sealing strip to the sealing area of the object.

A system using a pressure differential to clamp welding heads on opposite sides of a joint of a thermoplastic composite structure to be welded. The heads are positioned over the joint opposite each other. Each head includes a housing defining a chamber having a lower pressure such that the pressure differential forces the head against the side. Each head includes a contour plate located in the space and against the joint, and at least one of the heads includes a heater located in the space and heating the contour plate to a welding temperature. The system may also include a first arm coupled with one of the heads and moving it along the joint so as to remain aligned with the other head, and a second arm coupled with the other head and moving it along the joint while the system welds the joint in successive overlapping sections.

In an example, a method of sealing a bond cavity is described. The method comprises placing an adhesive around a perimeter of a first structure to be joined to a second structure. The method also comprises positioning the first structure relative to the second structure such that the adhesive is disposed between the first structure and the second structure. The method also comprises merging the first structure and the second structure until the first structure and the second structure are separated by a desired gap for bonding. The method also comprises heating the perimeter to at least partially cure the adhesive to form a leak-proof bond cavity perimeter between the first structure and the second structure.

In an example, a method is described. The method comprises forming a single hole into a bond gap repair area. The method also comprises evacuating, via an adhesive injection apparatus attached to the single hole, the bond gap repair area and an injection channel of the adhesive injection apparatus. The method also comprises forcing adhesive through the evacuated injection channel and into the evacuated bond gap repair area.

In an example, a method is described. The method comprises placing a repair patch over a repair area of a structure, the repair patch comprising a repair-patch hole. The method also comprises sealing the repair patch and repair area with a vacuum bag having a seal ring around a periphery of the vacuum bag. The method also comprises evacuating, via an adhesive injection apparatus attached to the repair-patch hole and the seal ring of the vacuum bag, the repair area and an injection channel of the adhesive injection apparatus. The method also comprises forcing adhesive through the evacuated injection channel and into the evacuated repair area.