A system and method for welding thermoplastic components is provided. The system includes a component positioning system and a welding subsystem. The component positioning system includes a trailing force applicator having first and second lateral side trailing force applicators disposed on opposite lateral sides of a weld line. The welding subsystem is configured to weld the thermoplastic components together at a weld zone. The first and second lateral side trailing force applicators are laterally spaced apart from the weld zone, and at least a portion of the first and second lateral side trailing force applicators are disposed aft of the weld zone. During welding the first and second lateral side trailing force applicators and a welding subsystem probe are moved relative to the thermoplastic components, or vice versa.

A system and method for welding thermoplastic components is provided. The system includes a component positioning system and a welding subsystem. The component positioning system includes a trailing force applicator having first and second lateral side trailing force applicators disposed on opposite lateral sides of a weld line. The welding subsystem is configured to weld the thermoplastic components together at a weld zone. The first and second lateral side trailing force applicators are laterally spaced apart from the weld zone, and at least a portion of the first and second lateral side trailing force applicators are disposed aft of the weld zone. During welding the first and second lateral side trailing force applicators and a welding subsystem probe are moved relative to the thermoplastic components, or vice versa.

Methods and apparatus' for induction welding a first workpiece to a second workpiece at a welding region may include a metallic strip. The metallic strip may be a mesh. The properties of the metallic strip, such as, for example, pore size, thickness, and density, may be configured to conduct heat uniformly across the welding region and prevent eddy current formation across a workpiece. The metallic strip may be embedded in a workpiece or may be fixed to an induction welding tool that acts on the welding region during induction welding. A removable polymer tape may be disposed between a workpiece and a metallic strip fixed to an induction welding tool. The workpieces may be thermoplastic composite structures and thermoplastic composite stiffeners in aircraft structures.

Methods and apparatus' for induction welding a first workpiece to a second workpiece at a welding region may include a metallic strip. The metallic strip may be a mesh. The properties of the metallic strip, such as, for example, pore size, thickness, and density, may be configured to conduct heat uniformly across the welding region and prevent eddy current formation across a workpiece. The metallic strip may be embedded in a workpiece or may be fixed to an induction welding tool that acts on the welding region during induction welding. A removable polymer tape may be disposed between a workpiece and a metallic strip fixed to an induction welding tool. The workpieces may be thermoplastic composite structures and thermoplastic composite stiffeners in aircraft structures.

A plastic component having a core that has a thermoset matrix and an add-on part anchored to the core. At least the securing region of the add-on part can be formed from a thermoplastic and is secured by the securing region to the core of the plastic component, the securing region being attached to the core or inserted or pressed into the core, bonding, in a fusible state produced by the application of energy, in particular by ultrasonic vibrations, with the core and being anchored thereto or therein after solidification, in particular, as a connection anchor.

A plastic component having a core that has a thermoset matrix and an add-on part anchored to the core. At least the securing region of the add-on part can be formed from a thermoplastic and is secured by the securing region to the core of the plastic component, the securing region being attached to the core or inserted or pressed into the core, bonding, in a fusible state produced by the application of energy, in particular by ultrasonic vibrations, with the core and being anchored thereto or therein after solidification, in particular, as a connection anchor.

A method for treating a surface of a fibre composite component, wherein an abrasive removal of the surface of the fibre composite component takes place by blasting a removing agent transported by a gaseous transporting fluid onto the surface of the fibre composite component by a feed nozzle and a suction extraction of the removing agent and material removed by the removing agent takes place by an extraction nozzle arranged in the region of the feed nozzle.

A method for treating a surface of a fibre composite component, wherein an abrasive removal of the surface of the fibre composite component takes place by blasting a removing agent transported by a gaseous transporting fluid onto the surface of the fibre composite component by a feed nozzle and a suction extraction of the removing agent and material removed by the removing agent takes place by an extraction nozzle arranged in the region of the feed nozzle.

Disclosed embodiments provide an electrofusion pipe coupler with mechanical support. The electrofusion pipe coupler comprises a coupler housing. A wire is configured and disposed within the housing. Electrodes are affixed to the coupler housing and in electrical contact with the wire. A threaded pattern is formed in an outer surface of the coupler housing. Gripping wedges are affixed to the coupler housing. Each gripping wedge extends from the coupler housing. A nut is attached to the coupler housing, engaging with the threaded pattern, and compressing the wedges against the connecting pipes. This serves to provide axial load transfer from the connecting pipes to the coupler housing via the wedges, thereby providing improved mechanical stability for such pipe assemblies.

Disclosed embodiments provide an electrofusion pipe coupler with mechanical support. The electrofusion pipe coupler comprises a coupler housing. A wire is configured and disposed within the housing. Electrodes are affixed to the coupler housing and in electrical contact with the wire. A threaded pattern is formed in an outer surface of the coupler housing. Gripping wedges are affixed to the coupler housing. Each gripping wedge extends from the coupler housing. A nut is attached to the coupler housing, engaging with the threaded pattern, and compressing the wedges against the connecting pipes. This serves to provide axial load transfer from the connecting pipes to the coupler housing via the wedges, thereby providing improved mechanical stability for such pipe assemblies.