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.

An infrared welding device successively joins component members of a liner to one another. The infrared welding device is equipped with collet chucks that hold domes and a pipe slidably and coaxially with gaps created therebetween respectively, infrared radiation lamps that melt end portions of the domes and end portions of the pipe through heating respectively, vertical operation mechanisms that move the infrared radiation lamps between insertion positions and retreat positions respectively, and a pressing mechanism and a pressure-receiving mechanism that press the end portions of the domes against the end portions of the pipe respectively.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods to seal a container are provided. An apparatus for securing a film to a container includes a body portion to house film and a sealing portion. The sealing portion includes a loading zone to receive a portion of film from the body portion and an aperture to receive a top portion of the container and the portion of the film therethrough to enable positioning within a sealing volume. A plurality of near-infrared light emitting diodes (NIR LEDs) face toward and at least partially surround the top portion of the container when positioned within the sealing volume. A controller is configured to receive sensor input from a sensor indicating that the top portion of the container is within the sealing volume and cause, in response thereto, activation of the plurality of NIR LEDs to secure the portion of the film to the top portion of the container.

A method and installation for joining a cover layer to an object in a continuous process. Joining is effected with the aid of a joining material having thermoplastic properties, wherein the joining material is arranged between the cover layer and the object and is liquefied using ultrasonic vibration energy. Before application of the ultrasonic vibration energy, the joining material is preheated in a contactless manner with the aid of electromagnetic induction in the region of the glass transition temperature of the joining material or above this glass transition temperature. The object is in particular a chip board and the cover layer an edge strip to be joined to an edge of the chip board.

A method for producing a multi-component part (200) of a vehicle includes inserting an air-guiding device (10) having at least one contact portion (40) into a cavity (310) of a tool (300). The method then includes heating a composite part (100) having at least one mating contact portion (140) to a melting point of at least one material of the composite part (100), and heating the contact portion (40) of the air-guiding device (10) to a melting point of at least one material of the contact portion (40). The method further includes inserting the heated composite part (100) into the cavity (310) of the tool (300) and pressing the heated composite part (100) into a geometry of the part while simultaneously forming an integrally bonded connection between the mating contact portion (140) of the composite part (100) and the contact portion (40) of the air-guiding device (10).

An apparatus for thermoplastic welding includes at least one tool configured to support first and second thermoplastic composite parts in a first welding position having one or more joint lines between the first and second thermoplastic composite parts. The tool includes a plurality of induction coils. The apparatus further includes a susceptor removably positioned along the one or more joint lines. The susceptor is configured to heat the one or more joint lines when exposed to a magnetic flux generated by the plurality of induction coils to bond the first and second thermoplastic composite parts along the one or more joint lines. The apparatus also includes a susceptor removal device coupled to the susceptor and configured to remove the susceptor during bonding of the first and second thermoplastic composite parts.

A device for thermally welding workpieces including a heating element and a shielding gas supply is provided. The device includes a heating plate consisting of a thermal insulating material in which a groove is formed, said groove includes a heating element, relative to which a surface of a workpiece to be welded is positioned in close proximity to the heating element. A feed channel for a shielding gas is formed in the heating plate and communicates with the groove via at least one through-channel, and the feed channel for supplying shielding gas can be connected to a shielding gas source via a feed line and a valve. The device may further include an assembly for welding a first and a second workpiece, said assembly includes a first and second movement device for moving the workpieces towards one another.

Various embodiments introduce a device for attaching a protection film, the device comprising: a fixing tray including a seating portion on which an electronic device is stably placed; a base portion including a coupling portion to allow the fixing tray to be attached to or detached from the base portion and at least one rail formed along the longitudinal direction or the width direction of the coupling portion; a roller portion which moves along the at least one rail and presses a surface of the electronic device stably placed on the fixing tray; and a hardening portion coupled to the base portion, closing or opening the seating portion of the fixing tray, and emitting ultraviolet rays toward the fixing tray. Other embodiments are also possible.

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.

Described are methods for the manufacture of sporting goods, in particular a shoe, sporting goods manufactured by such methods, for example a shoe, as well as a device for performing such methods. The method for the manufacture of sporting goods, in particular a shoe, is provided, wherein the sporting goods has a first component with a first connection surface and a second component with a second connection surface. The method includes activating at least one portion of the first connection surface by providing heat energy without contact, and connecting the first component with the second component by joining the first connection surface and the second connection surface.