A system holds a roll of film that includes a core and film wound around the core. The system includes a rod having an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the core, a proximal wing located on the rod and configured to rotate about the rod, and a distal wing located on the rod and configured to rotate about the rod. Each of the proximal and distal wings includes contact surfaces configured to contact diametrically-opposed locations on a side of an inner surface of the core and non-contact surfaces that span between the contact surfaces of the wing. The non-contact surfaces of the wings do not contact the core if the core has a cylindrical shape. The distal wing is capable of rotating around the rod independently of the proximal wing.

A system includes a dip tube, a feed line, and a check valve. The dip tube is inserted through an opening in a source of chemical precursor and into the chemical precursor in the source. A portion of the feed line is located in the dip tube. The feed line passes out of the dip tube. The chemical precursor is capable of flowing out of the source through the feed line in a downstream direction. The check valve is located in the portion of the feed line in the dip tube. The check valve permits the chemical precursor to pass substantially only in the downstream direction. The feed line is coupled to a transfer pump that draws the chemical precursor out of the source through the portion of the feed line in the dip tube.

A system for providing power to more than one ultrasonic welding probe from M power supplies includes N multipoint units and a base. Each of the N multipoint units includes: a housing, a plurality of analog or digital inputs configured to carry distance information regarding probe distance of a plurality of ultrasonic welding probes, a dedicated high voltage input connector connectable via a high voltage cable to a dedicated high voltage output connector of one of the M power supplies, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to: direct power from the dedicated high voltage input connector to a corresponding one of the plurality of ultrasonic welding probes, and sample the distance information of the plurality of ultrasonic welding probes at a rate of at least once per millisecond. The base houses the M power supplies, wherein M and N are both integers greater than or equal to 1.

A system for fusing plastic materials without bonding agents, such as adhesives, etc., is disclosed. A heat press is used to apply heat and pressure to plastic material sandwiched between heat resistant material. A flatbed heat press, a rotary heat press, or other similar type of thermal roller system may be used. Heat is applied to at least one side of the sandwich and may be applied to both sides of the sandwich simultaneously with equal pressure for a given amount of time. Dual thermostats may be used for application of different beat levels on opposite sides of the sandwich. Reinforcement materials, such as mesh or reinforcement fibers, may be integrated within the layers of plastic prior to fusion to enhance the integrity and/or aesthetic qualities of the fused end product. The plastic may be subjected to multiple applications of heat and pressure to optimize the fusion process.

The invention relates to a method for producing strapping. A strapping band (4) is first guided about at least one packaging piece, tightened, and equipped with a closure at band ends (4a, 4b) to be connected in a closure unit (1). Furthermore, at least one sensor (7) connected to a control unit (8) is provided in the closure unit (1). One or more closure parameters are detected by means of the control unit (8) using the sensor (7), and the closure unit (1) is correspondingly actuated. According to the invention, the sensor (7) is designed as a load cell (7) which is let into a compression ram (6a, 6b) of the closure unit (1).

A portable table top welder for welding plastic material webs, the portable table top welder including a frame including a carrier housing and a support arm at which a welding device is arranged; at least one transport roller including a rotatable transport roller axle and at least one contact pressure roller that is rotatably supported at the carrier housing, wherein a weight is arranged at an eccentrical element which is rotatably connected at one side by a concentrically supported eccentrical element axle at the carrier housing and rotatably connected at another side by an eccentrically supported contact pressure roller axle at the contact pressure roller. The table top welder handles and transports easily and can be mounted on a table or on another carrier structure in a disengageable manner.

An assembly to connect together first and second sheet members. The assembly includes a pressure device that applies pressure to the sheet members while the sheet members are in an overlapping arrangement and positioned on a support platform. A sensing system that includes one or more thin film pressure sensors detects the positions of the leading and trailing edges. A connection device connects the members together in an overlapping arrangement.

Methods and apparatus for semi-automated tack welding of plies of a thermoplastic composite layup are described. An example welding tool includes a stabilization foot, a housing, a compaction foot, and a welder. The stabilization foot has a stabilization surface. The housing has a central axis. The housing is movable relative to the stabilization surface along the central axis of the housing. The compaction foot has a central axis and a compaction surface. The compaction surface is movable relative to the stabilization surface and to the housing along the central axis of the compaction surface. The welder has a central axis and a welding surface. The welding surface is movable relative to the stabilization surface, to the housing, and to the compaction surface along the central axis of the welder.

Methods and apparatus for semi-automated tack welding of plies of a thermoplastic composite layup are described. An example welding tool includes a stabilization foot, a housing, a compaction foot, and a welder. The stabilization foot has a stabilization surface. The housing has a central axis. The housing is movable relative to the stabilization surface along the central axis of the housing. The compaction foot has a central axis and a compaction surface. The compaction surface is movable relative to the stabilization surface and to the housing along the central axis of the compaction surface. The welder has a central axis and a welding surface. The welding surface is movable relative to the stabilization surface, to the housing, and to the compaction surface along the central axis of the welder.

A friction welding apparatus is provided, which includes a tool, a rotary driver, a linear driver, and a control device. The control device controls the linear driver and the rotary driver so that the tool is rotated while a tip-end part thereof is pressed against a to-be-joined part of a to-be-joined object to increase a temperature of the to-be-joined part at or above an A1 transformation point, the tip-end part of the tool reaches a given first position so that a softened second member sticks into a softened first member, and the tool is drawn out from the to-be-joined part while the tool is rotated.