A preform-charge fixture creates a preform charge, which is a partially consolidated assemblage of preforms that can be efficiently transferred to a mold to create a finished part in a molding process, such as compression molding. In the illustrative embodiment, the preform-charge fixture includes peripheral cleats that are movable towards a central cleat to create a small gap therebetween that receives and constrains preforms in a desired position. The fixture also includes clamps, which are operable to engage an uppermost layer of preforms in the gap and apply a slight amount of downward pressure thereto to assure that the preforms are properly seated. The fixture also accommodates an energy source that heats the preforms so that, in conjunction with downforce applied by the clamps and/or gravity, the preforms can be tacked together, forming the preform charge.

A coaxial connector for interconnection with a coaxial cable with a solid outer conductor by ultrasonic welding is provided with a monolithic connector body with a bore. An annular flare seat is angled radially outward from the bore toward a connector end of the connector, the annular flare seat open to the connector end of the connector. An inner conductor cap is provided for interconnection with an inner conductor of the coaxial cable by ultrasonic welding. The ultrasonic welding of each of the inner and outer conductor interconnections may be performed via inner conductor and outer conductor sonotrodes which are coaxial with one another, without requiring the cable and or connector to be removed from their fixture.

A coaxial connector for interconnection with a coaxial cable with a solid outer conductor by ultrasonic welding is provided with a monolithic connector body with a bore. An annular flare seat is angled radially outward from the bore toward a connector end of the connector, the annular flare seat open to the connector end of the connector. An inner conductor cap is provided for interconnection with an inner conductor of the coaxial cable by ultrasonic welding. The ultrasonic welding of each of the inner and outer conductor interconnections may be performed via inner conductor and outer conductor sonotrodes which are coaxial with one another, without requiring the cable and or connector to be removed from their fixture.

A plug for joining a polyethylene (PE) jacketed cable to a PE tube is provided. The plug includes first and second heating wires and a PE body. The PE body includes a first section and a second section. The first section is insertible into the PE tube and includes a first surface to engage with the PE tube. The first heating wires are embeddable in the first surface. The second section is within the first section and the PE jacketed cable is insertible into the second section. The second section includes a second surface to engage with the PE jacketed cable. The second heating wires are embeddable in the second section.

A coaxial connector for interconnection with a coaxial cable with a solid outer conductor by ultrasonic welding is provided with a monolithic connector body with a bore. An annular flare seat is angled radially outward from the bore toward a connector end of the connector, the annular flare seat open to the connector end of the connector. An inner conductor cap is provided for interconnection with an inner conductor of the coaxial cable by ultrasonic welding. The ultrasonic welding of each of the inner and outer conductor interconnections may be performed via inner conductor and outer conductor sonotrodes which are coaxial with one another, without requiring the cable and or connector to be removed from their fixture.

A plug for joining a polyethylene (PE) jacketed cable to a PE tube is provided. The plug includes first and second heating wires and a PE body. The PE body includes a first section and a second section. The first section is insertible into the PE tube and includes a first surface to engage with the PE tube. The first heating wires are embeddable in the first surface. The second section is within the first section and the PE jacketed cable is insertible into the second section. The second section includes a second surface to engage with the PE jacketed cable. The second heating wires are embeddable in the second section.

A first structure made of a first polymer is joined to a second structure made of an incompatible second polymer by the steps of welding small bands of compatible tubing or material to the first structure to create raised structures or ribs, and mechanically linking the second structure with the ribs or raised structures at the desired attachment point. The mechanical linkage may be accomplished by using heat shrinking or mechanical compression (such as crimping) to force the incompatible second polymer around the ribs or raised structures or, in the case of raised structures formed as threads or nubs, by inter-engagement between the threads or nubs on the first structure and corresponding structures, such as internal threading, nub-receiving slots, or internal surfaces, of the second structure. The option of using the welded raised structures as threads or nubs for a threaded, bayonet, pin-and-slot, snap-fit, or similar connection enables the second structure to be removed from the first structure and replaced whenever the second structure becomes worn during use. The first structure may be an surgical laser fiber with an ETFE buffer layer, and the second structure is a protective structure may be made of PTFE, PET, FEP or PFA.

A device for producing sealing rings made of an endless-material. The device includes a feeder unit which conveys and positions the endless-material in a cutting position, a cutting unit which cuts off a section of the endless-material, a gripper unit which grips and displaces the endless-material or the section of the endless-material and which controls a displacement of at least one free end of the section of the endless-material along a predefined path of motion in and/or out of a wetting position, a control device connected with the feeder unit, the at least one gripper unit and/or the cutting unit, and a feeding device for a bonding fluid. The feeding device is connected with the control device and is arranged so that the bonding fluid is deposited in a controlled manner on the at least one free end of the section of the endless material in the wetting position.

Provided is a composite material for a wind turbine blade, the composite material including a plurality of rigid elements and plurality of flexible elements, wherein each flexible element is arranged between two rigid elements and is connected thereto such that the rigid elements are flexibly connected to each other by the flexible elements. The flexibility of the composite material can be achieved by using the interspaces between the rigid elements. Therefore, when the composite material is placed on a curved surface, hollow spaces between the rigid elements may be reduced or avoided.

A joint between an insulative sidewall of a medical electrical lead subassembly and an underlying fluoropolymer layer includes an interfacial layer. A first section of the interfacial layer is bonded to the fluoropolymer layer and is formed by a thermoplastic fluoropolymer; a second section of the interfacial layer extends adjacent the first section and is bonded to the insulative sidewall. The insulative sidewall, of the subassembly, and the second section, of the interfacial layer, are each formed from a material that is not a fluoropolymer. A recess is formed in the first section of the interfacial layer and the second section of the interfacial layer extends within the recess.