An example method of forming a composite structure is described that includes applying a laminated charge onto an expandable pallet, moving the expandable pallet at a translation rate and relative to a die conveyor that comprises a plurality of die sections, and driving the plurality of die sections on the die conveyor at an angle relative to the expandable pallet so as to drive the plurality of die sections progressively deeper into a recess defined by the expandable pallet and shape the laminated charge into at least part of a shape of the composite structure.

An example method of forming a composite structure is described that includes applying a laminated charge onto an expandable pallet, moving the expandable pallet at a translation rate and relative to a die conveyor that comprises a plurality of die sections, and driving the plurality of die sections on the die conveyor at an angle relative to the expandable pallet so as to drive the plurality of die sections progressively deeper into a recess defined by the expandable pallet and shape the laminated charge into at least part of a shape of the composite structure.

A method of offset load testing a tubular composite specimen with two pairs of aligned holes and having at least one defect, the method comprising: providing a testing apparatus having a pair of arms including a fixed arm and a mobile arm; securing the pair of arms using a fastener assembly in each of the two pairs of aligned holes; and moving the mobile arm to impart an offset load force to the tubular specimen. One aspect includes a method of offset load testing comprising: providing a testing apparatus having a pair of arms including a fixed arm and a mobile arm; providing a tubular composite specimen with a top portion and a bottom portion; securing the pair of arms to the top and bottom portions of the tubular composite specimen; and moving the mobile arm to impart an offset load force to the tubular composite specimen.

A method for use in ply compaction in forming a composite structure. The method includes positioning a ply of material on a forming tool having a web surface and at least one flange surface extending from the web surface, positioning a chassis at a first location along a length dimension of the forming tool, selectively rotating a flange forming device, that is coupled to the chassis, about a yaw axis based on a relative orientation of the flange forming device to the at least one flange surface, applying, with the flange forming device, the ply of material onto the forming tool, moving the chassis relative to the forming tool to position the chassis at a second location along the length dimension of the forming tool, and repeating the selective rotation and the application steps at the second location.

A method for use in ply compaction in forming a composite structure. The method includes positioning a ply of material on a forming tool having a web surface and at least one flange surface extending from the web surface, positioning a chassis at a first location along a length dimension of the forming tool, selectively rotating a flange forming device, that is coupled to the chassis, about a yaw axis based on a relative orientation of the flange forming device to the at least one flange surface, applying, with the flange forming device, the ply of material onto the forming tool, moving the chassis relative to the forming tool to position the chassis at a second location along the length dimension of the forming tool, and repeating the selective rotation and the application steps at the second location.

A method for manufacturing a wind turbine blade includes the use of an apparatus having an engagement part. The engagement part has: a support element having a first support edge and a second support edge, a belt extending around the support element and forming a primary engagement edge of the engagement part along the first support edge of the support element. The method includes: providing one or more pre-shaped elements, including a first pre-shaped element, in a first element position, positioning the engagement part in a first position, moving the support element in a first direction with a first velocity to extend underneath the first pre-shaped element, and at the same time moving the belt relative to the support element around the first support edge in a primary direction from below the first support edge to above the first support edge with a primary velocity.

A method for manufacturing a wind turbine blade, includes the steps of: arranging an upper mould including a pre-casted fibre lay-up on a lower mould comprising a dry fibre lay-up and a mould core, applying vacuum to a space between the upper and lower moulds and the mould core, infusing at least the dry fibre lay-up and a connection region between the dry fibre lay-up and the pre-casted fibre lay-up with a resin, and curing the resin.

By having the pre-casted fibre lay-up in the upper mould, the packing and positioning of dry composite materials on top of the mould core is avoided.

A fiber-reinforced resin composite sheet of the present invention contains: a polyamide resin film containing a dicarboxylic acid component (a) and a diamine component (b); and a plurality of reinforcing fibers laminated in a state of being oriented in the same direction on the polyamide resin film, the reinforcing fibers being obtained by opening a reinforcing fiber bundle. The dicarboxylic acid component (a) contains 60 mol % or more and 100 mol % or less of terephthalic acid. The diamine component (b) contains 60 mol % or more and 100 mol % or less of 1,9-nonanediamine and 2-methyl-1,8 octanediamine. The fiber-reinforced resin composite sheet has a volume content rate Vf of the reinforcing fibers of 20% or more and 70% or less and a thickness of 20 μm or more and 70 μm or less.

A fiber reinforced resin hollow molded body 30 in which a resin-integrated fiber sheet is used. The resin-integrated fiber sheet includes unidirectional continuous fibers that are spread fibers of a continuous fiber group and arrayed unidirectionally in parallel, and thermoplastic resin that is present at least on a surface of the unidirectional continuous fibers. In the hollow molded body, in a state where the resin-integrated fiber sheet or a plurality of the resin-integrated fiber sheets 30 are stacked, the resin-integrated fiber sheet or the plurality of resin-integrated fiber sheets are wound to produce a wound body having an overlapping portion. The thermoplastic resin is impregnated in the unidirectional continuous fibers. The resin-integrated fiber sheet or the plurality of resin-integrated fiber sheets are consolidated.

Methods and devices enabling an optimized cure cycle with an optimized control of operation parameters in an autoclave. To monitor the curing and providing a real time control, a sample having sensors for measuring a component parameter which depends from the curing state is placed in the autoclave. A first cure cycle is obtained by modelling the component and its curing, especially by GIM and simulations. Then the actual monitored curing rate and measured properties of the cured sample is compared with the model, and the cure cycle is updated when needed. Further, a similar sample may be used for calibrating the curing during a first component production or during further productions of subsequent components.