The present invention relates to a method for connecting two joining elements, these elements being connected by means of a thermally activatable adhesive with a flat heating element arranged therein, by suitable heating of the adhesive. The invention also relates to an assembly produced in this way from two joining elements and to an arrangement designed for carrying out a corresponding method.

A method or apparatus for joining a first component to a second component with an amalgamation plate includes heating the first component, the second component, the amalgamation plate, or combinations thereof, with either a joining tool or a heating element. The components are attached to the amalgamation plate with the joining tool, such that the first component, amalgamation plate, and the second component are fixedly attached to one another, and the amalgamation plate may be substantially surrounded by the first component and the second component, such that it is hidden from exposure. Portions of the amalgamation plate may be embedded into the components via rotation and/or linear force. A portion of the amalgamation plate may be recessed within the joining tool or an anvil before attaching the amalgamation plate to the either component.

An amalgamation plate for joining a first component to a second component has a planar body configured to be placed between the first component and the second component, and a plurality of first protrusions extending from a first side of the planar body. The first protrusions are radially dispersed from an axis of the planar body, and are configured to be embedded within either the first component and the second component. The amalgamation plate may also have a plurality of second protrusions extending from a second side, opposite the first side, of the planar body. The second protrusions are radially dispersed from the axis, and are configured to be embedded within the other of the first component and the second component via application of force substantially along the axis. The first protrusions and the second protrusions may be radially symmetric about the axis of the planar body.

A clamping system for positioning a first component and a second component relatively to each other includes a clamping device, a separating foil and an electrical contacting device. The clamping device is adapted to fix the first and second components in a desired joining position under creation of a gap therebetween with a characteristic measure of tolerance relative to each other in a first position of the clamping device and to release this fixation in a second position of the clamping device. The separating foil includes an anti-stick layer and a heating layer connected with electrically conducting contact zones for heating a compensation compound arranged in the gap. The electrical contacting device is mechanically couplable with the clamping device or a supporting device holding the clamping device and is adapted for creating an electrical contact with the contact zones at least in the first position of the clamping device.

A resin composition for laser welding contains: relative to 100 mass parts of (A) a thermoplastic polyester resin material that contains a polybutylene terephthalate homopolymer and at least one of a polybutylene terephthalate copolymer, a polyethylene terephthalate resin, and a polycarbonate resin, 0.0005 to 0.5 mass parts of (B) nigrosine; and 0.01 to 2 mass parts of (C) a colorant containing at least an anthraquinone dye C1 having a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of 590 to 635 nm, a perinone dye C2 having a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of 460 to 480 nm, and an anthraquinone dye C3 having a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of 435 to 455 nm, at C1: C2:C3=24 to 41:24 to 39:22 to 46 as the mass ratio relative to 100 mass parts for a total of C1, C2, and C3.

An adhesive aid and a method for adhering components by use of an adhesive are provided. The adhesive can be found in an adhesive gap between respective adhesive surfaces of the components. At least the first component has an opening which opens into the component adhesive surface. The adhesive aid has an insert portion, which is designed to be inserted into the opening and has an insert outer contour that correlates to an inner contour of the opening, and a displacement portion, which adjoins the insert portion in order to displace adhesive in the adhesive gap. The displacement portion has a protrusion which protrudes past the insert outer contour in the radial direction, and the displacement portion is designed to be flexible, in particular elastic, at least in the region of the protrusion.

A microfluidic circuit element comprising a microfluidic main channel and nano interstices is disclosed. The nano interstices are formed at both sides of the main channel and are in fluid communication with the main channel. The nano interstices have a height less than that of the main channel, gives more driving force of the microfluidic channel and provides stable flow of a fluid. The microfluidic circuit element may be made from a plastic material having a contact angle of 90 degrees or less. The microfluidic circuit element is particularly useful when filling a liquid sample to the channel which is empty or filled with air and shows greatly improved a storage stability.

A shear web for a wind turbine blade is described. The shear web comprises a panel and a web head. A longitudinal edge of the panel is received within a slot defined in the web head. A plurality of discrete spring features are attached to the longitudinal edge of the panel. The spring features are mutually spaced apart at intervals along the length of the longitudinal edge. The spring features compress against a base of the slot when the longitudinal edge region of the panel is inserted into the slot.

A patch may be used to rework a composite structure in the field. The patch is bonded to the structure by a layer of adhesive and includes perforations that allow the escape of air from the adhesive as the patch is compressed against the structure. A spacer may be introduced between the patch and the structure to control the thickness of the adhesive layer.

A microfluidic circuit element comprising a microfluidic main channel and nano interstices is disclosed. The nano interstices are formed at both sides of the main channel and are in fluid communication with the main channel. The nano interstices have a height less than that of the main channel, gives more driving force of the microfluidic channel and provides stable flow of a fluid. The microfluidic circuit element may be made from a plastic material having a contact angle of 90 degrees or less. The microfluidic circuit element is particularly useful when filling a liquid sample to the channel which is empty or filled with air and shows greatly improved a storage stability.