A process for gluing on an industrial scale, preferably by using hot-melt adhesives, substrates, preferably made of plastic material, by nano-modifying the adhesives through the addition of particles sensitive to electromagnetic fields and electromagnetic induction coupling. The present invention also relates to a simple, low-cost and environment-friendly (i.e., eco-compatible) separation of various components glued by way of the adhesives through the use of the same equipment and the same type of process. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to repairing glued junctions made by way of the adhesives.

A roller electrode assembly (1) for applying a high-frequency alternating electric field to a workpiece (5a, 5b) has a core (2) which is at least partially made of electrically conductive material and surrounded by a tire (3) which can be filled with a protective gas and is made of a dielectric material.

The machine comprises a rotary feeder configured to receive the first tubular body and the second tubular body; wherein the first tubular body and the second tubular body are secured to one another separately in a single coaxial direction in the rotary feeder; and wherein the two tubular bodies make up separators of the pallets. The machine also comprises a robotic arm configured to transfer the two tubular bodies in pairs from the rotary feeder to an area above a transport table on which a first base of the pallet rests; so that one of the end portions of the second tubular body fits into an opening of the first base; wherein the robotic arm places the first tubular body around the second tubular body.

A system and method for welding thermoplastic components by positioning and moving a heated plate between the components to melt their respective faying surfaces, and as the plate moves, pressing the components together so that the melted faying surfaces bond together as they cool and re-solidify, thereby creating a composite structure. The plate has a heated portion which is positioned between and heated to melt a portion of the first and second faying surfaces. A manipulator mechanism moves the plate along an interface from between the portion to between a series of subsequent portions of the first and second faying surfaces, thereby welding the thermoplastic components along the entire interface to create the composite structure. The heated portion may contact the faying surfaces and melt them through conduction, or may be suspended between them and melt them through radiation and convection.

A system and method for welding thermoplastic components by positioning and moving a heated plate between the components to melt their respective faying surfaces, and as the plate moves, pressing the components together so that the melted faying surfaces bond together as they cool and re-solidify, thereby creating a composite structure. The plate has a heated portion which is positioned between and heated to melt a portion of the first and second faying surfaces. A manipulator mechanism moves the plate along an interface from between the portion to between a series of subsequent portions of the first and second faying surfaces, thereby welding the thermoplastic components along the entire interface to create the composite structure. The heated portion may contact the faying surfaces and melt them through conduction, or may be suspended between them and melt them through radiation and convection.

Methods for manufacturing foam wall structures are described. The methods include placing a wall structure proximate to a robotic arm, orienting an imaging device so that the imaging device on the robotic arm faces a cavity in the wall structure, surveying the cavity using the imaging device, determining a spray foaming pattern to fill the cavity to a selected depth with a foam layer, orienting the spray nozzle so the spray nozzle faces the cavity, and spray-applying the foam-forming composition into the cavity to the selected depth by passing the foam-forming composition through the spray nozzle to form the foam layer. Foam wall structure manufacturing systems that are suitable for carrying out such methods are also described.

An applicator mitt assembly system comprises an applicator mitt tooling including: a tooling body having a mitt-perimeter cutter and weld bead thereon which are shaped to a perimeter of a mitt to be cut; a heating element associated with the tooling body which is shaped so as to substantially match a shape of the weld bead to create a perimeter weld for the mitt when engaged with the tooling body; and an ejector platen which is actuatable relative to the tooling body to eject a cut and welded mitt. A conveyor device is adapted to feed mitt material towards the tooling and a tooling actuator adapted to actuate the tooling relative to the conveyor device to allow the cutter to cut mitt material at the conveyor device. A discrete applicator mitt tooling, method of assembling an applicator mitt, and welded applicator mitt are also provided.

A method for joining moulded parts by electromagnetic welding. A joining inductor is moved along contact surfaces of the moulded parts, generating an electromagnetic field in an induction-sensitive component of the moulded part(s) to heat a thermally activated coupling means of the moulded part(s) to above a melting temperature of the coupling means. The strength of the electromagnetic field suitable for joining is determined by previously moving a sensing inductor along the contact plane, generating a relatively weak electromagnetic field to slightly heat the thermally activated coupling means to a sensing temperature, measuring the field strength generated by the sensing inductor in the moulded part(s), determining a discrepancy between the measured field strength of the sensing inductor and the field strength suitable for joining, and adjusting the field strength suitable for joining to close the discrepancy. A device for carrying out the method.

A plastic welding machine for welding plastic parts together is capable of controlling the weld force vector in both magnitude and direction.

A composite material component manufacturing method including a first thermoforming step for creating a first three-dimensional prepreg sheet by thermoforming a thermoplastic first prepreg sheet into a three dimensional shape, a laminate body creating step for creating a prepreg sheet laminate body by layering the first three-dimensional prepreg sheet and a second prepreg sheet; and a laminate body molding step for molding the prepreg sheet laminate body by applying heat and a pressing force to the prepreg sheet laminate body with a pressing device.