Methods related to inductive heating in extruders. In some embodiments, a method for heating a feedstock or liquid material can include providing a heating body having inlet and outlet orifices connected via a passage or passages or mixing chamber to define a nozzle, and forming a magnetic loop with a coil of conductive wire wound through the center and around the outside of a core of magnetic but electrically non-conductive or low-conductivity material. The method can further include a high-frequency alternating current applied to the coil, producing a magnetic flux locally heating the nozzle. Some embodiments have passive regulation or limiting of nozzle temperature by selection of a core material with an appropriate Curie temperature.

Systems and methods for producing a preform for a composite member. An exemplary method includes preparing a lay-up of reinforcement layers and thermoplastic interlayers, and transferring the lay-up to a preform tool. The method further includes inducing heat in the preform tool to a transition-temperature range that causes the thermoplastic interlayers to become tacky or viscous, and applying pressure to the lay-up with the preform tool to shape the lay-up into the preform.

A heating device to heat a molding face, particularly a large molding face. The heating device includes a metal sheet having a ferromagnetic layer, and a part formed into a shape that defines the molding face and a forming plane. A base of the heating device supports the metal sheet. An inductor of the heating device provides the induction heating of the metal sheet.

One embodiment of a heated nozzle for extruding meltable material consists of an electrically conductive nozzle, comprised of an inlet, an outlet, and a passage connecting inlet and outlet. The nozzle fits into a hole or gap cut or formed through a loop of high permeability soft magnetic material such as ferrite or pressed iron powder. Electrically conductive wire is coiled around and through this magnetic loop to form a coil. A high-frequency alternating current is supplied to the coil, inducing a magnetic field in the magnetic core. The magnetic field, when passing through the electrically conductive nozzle, induces eddy currents that heat the nozzle to melt the material entering the inlet.

The invention relates to a tool apparatus for producing a composite material component part, comprising a forming tool having a contact region for a workpiece, wherein the forming tool is made, in at least a portion thereof, of an electrically conductive material; and an induction heating apparatus having an inductive heating mat, wherein the heating mat is positioned in spaced relation to the forming tool, and wherein a positioning of the workpiece is provided between the heating mat and the forming tool, in contact with the forming tool, and wherein heating of the forming tool is provided, in at least a portion thereof, by the induction heating apparatus. The invention further relates to a method for producing a component part from a composite material by way of a forming tool.

An induction curing system comprises a slip sheet and a power supply. The slip sheet comprises a layup surface configured to receive a composite material, a tool interface surface configured to interface with an upper surface of a tool, a rigid body extending between the layup surface and the tool interface surface, and an induction coil circuit within the rigid body of the slip sheet. The induction coil circuit is configured to heat the layup surface to a temperature sufficient to cure the composite material. The induction coil circuit has a diameter selected to generate heat using a power supply having a frequency below 150 kHz. The rigid body is configured to support the composite material during transport of the composite material. The power supply is coupled with the induction coil circuit, the power supply is selected based on the diameter of the induction coil circuit.

A method of curing a part in a mold using induction heated tooling is provided. In preferred embodiments, the method comprises placing a material that may be cured with pressure and heat in tooling made from a non-metallic material wherein the tooling includes a mold cavity that forms the part. Creating an electro-magnetic field across the tooling using induction coils. Applying pressure to the tooling and heating a metallic material contained in channels formed in the tooling around the mold cavity of the part.

The main object of the invention is an additive-manufacturing device (1) for creating a three-dimensional object (2), characterized in that it comprises a material selection unit (3), the materials including materials for the creation of the three-dimensional object (2), an induction heating unit (4) for heating the materials, the selection unit (3) being able to convey the materials toward the heating unit (4) which causes them to melt, and a material deposition unit (5) which ejects the materials after they have passed through the heating unit (4) onto a support (6) so as to allow the three-dimensional object (2) to be built up in successive layers of material.

A polymer composition capable of being additively manufactured includes a polymer matrix and a magnetically receptive additive. The polymer composition may be additively manufactured or extruded to form a tool which may be used to form a composite part.

A method is provided during which a first thermoplastic body is provided. The first thermoplastic body includes first fiber-reinforcement with a first electrical conductivity. A second thermoplastic body is provided. The second thermoplastic body includes second fiber-reinforcement with a second electrical conductivity that is greater than the first electrical conductivity. The second thermoplastic body is arranged with the first thermoplastic body. The second thermoplastic body is induction welded to the first thermoplastic body using an induction welding coil. The second thermoplastic body is arranged between the first thermoplastic body and the induction welding coil.