A composite sandwich panel includes a first composite part and a second composite part. A plurality of stiffeners extend between the first and second composite parts. A fiberglass composite perimeter edge closeout is positioned along one or more edges of the first and second composite parts. The fiberglass composite perimeter edge closeout controls a magnetic flux to bond the first and second composite parts to the plurality of stiffeners.

An in-situ fiber-optic temperature field measurement is disclosed that can allow process monitoring and diagnosis for thermoplastic composite welding and other applications. A distributed fiber-optic sensor can be permanently embedded in a thermoplastic welded structure when it is welded and left there to perform lifelong monitoring and inspection. The fiber optic sensor can include a dissolvable coating, or a coating matched to the composite material to be welded. Other applications include in-situ fiber-optic temperature field measurement on thermoset composite curing (autoclave), for thermoplastic and thermoset composites during compression molding, and for fiber-optic field measurements on freeze/thaw of large items of public health interest, such as stored or transported foodstuffs.

A method for joining a device to an object with the aid of a combination of ultrasonic vibration energy and induction heating, wherein the device includes a portion of a thermoplastic polymer and a susceptor additive wherein this portion is at least partly liquefied or plasticized through the ultrasonic vibration energy in combination with the induction heating and wherein the joining includes establishing a connection between the device and the object which connection is at least one of a positive fit connection, a weld, a press fit connection, and an adhesive connection. The induction heating is applied for rendering the device portion suitable for absorption of ultrasonic vibration energy than other device portions by raising its temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer. The ultrasonic vibration energy is used for liquefying or at least plasticizing the thermoplastic polymer of the named device portion.

An end effector for welding composite components includes an end effector housing and a welding member mounted to the end effector housing. The end effector further includes a leading roller mounted to the end effector housing forward of the welding member and at least one follower roller mounted to the end effector housing aft of the welding member. The end effector further includes at least one first cooling air jet positioned to direct a first stream of cooling air toward the at least one follower roller.

A device for electromagnetic spot welding of moulded parts includes a pressurizing body, first displacing means configured for moving a pressurizing surface of the pressurizing body against the moulded parts or vice versa to join contact surfaces of the moulded parts to be fused by welding under pressure, an inductor provided in the pressurizing body and configured to generate an electromagnetic field in at least the contact surfaces of the moulded parts, and a mechanical fastener configured to be heated by the electromagnetic field generated by the inductor, or by other means. Second displacing means are configured for moving the mechanical fastener towards the moulded parts and drive the heated mechanical fastener into the joined moulded parts to a position further than the contact surfaces of the moulded parts. A method for electromagnetic welding of moulded parts using the device.

A heatsink, a method of manufacturing the heatsink, and an induction welding apparatus including the heatsink. The heatsink includes a carrier sheet and a plurality of tiles. The carrier sheet comprises an electrically non-conductive material and has a contoured profile. The plurality of tiles comprises a thermally conductive and electrically non-conductive material. Each tile of the plurality of tiles has a bonding surface bonded to the carrier sheet and a contact surface opposite the bonding surface. The contact surface is configured to contact a structure to be induction welded.

An apparatus and method of closing a wide variety of thermoplastic tubes, in particular with Shore hardnesses of around 50 (A) to above 100 (A), where the tubes having inside diameters of 1.6 mm to 35 mm and/or wall thicknesses of 0.8 to 4.8 mm. The method involves use of a tube heater having at least one heating element. The heating element has at least four heatable regions which are movable with respect to one another. The tube heater is configured to enclose, in the applied state, at least 75% of the circumference of the tube while bearing against the latter over its circumference at at least four points which are spaced apart from one another. One of the key advantages is that, prior to compression, the tube can already have been heated at a plurality of points on the tube.

A fuselage structure of an aircraft includes a fuselage skin, and a plurality of frame elements spaced apart from one another in a direction parallel to the aircraft longitudinal axis for supporting the fuselage skin. The fuselage skin includes a plurality of interconnected fiber-reinforced composite skin panels that extend between each pair of frame elements and are connected thereto. The composite skin panels further comprise a stiffener integrally formed in each composite skin panel. A method for manufacturing the fuselage skin. The composite skin panels may be interconnected and/or connected to a frame element through an induction welded connection.

A device for electromagnetic spot welding of moulded parts includes a pressurizing body, and first displacing means for moving a pressurizing body against the moulded parts or vice versa to join contact surfaces of the moulded parts to be fused by welding under pressure. The pressurizing body includes an inductor that generates an electromagnetic field in at least the contact surfaces of the moulded parts. A shielding is provided in the pressurizing body around at least a part of the inductor to protect against overheating. A heat sink is provided in the pressurizing body in between the inductor and the pressurizing surface in direct contact with the inductor and the pressurizing surface. The inductor includes cooling means configured for cooling the inductor, the shielding and the heat sink. A method for electromagnetic welding of moulded parts using the device.

An in-situ fiber-optic temperature field measurement is disclosed that can allow process monitoring and diagnosis for thermoplastic composite welding and other applications. A distributed fiber-optic sensor can be permanently embedded in a thermoplastic welded structure when it is welded and left there to perform lifelong monitoring and inspection. The fiber optic sensor can include a dissolvable coating, or a coating matched to the composite material to be welded. Other applications include in-situ fiber-optic temperature field measurement on thermoset composite curing (autoclave), for thermoplastic and thermoset composites during compression molding, and for fiber-optic field measurements on freeze/thaw of large items of public health interest, such as stored or transported foodstuffs.