According to a method or an apparatus for fastening bristles in a bristle carrier (10) without using an anchor a heating (39) is provided in a tool part configured to transport the bristles. After inserting the bristles into anchoring openings (12) in the bristle carrier (10), the anchoring openings are closed by applying pressure.

According to a method or an apparatus for fastening bristles in a bristle carrier (10) without using an anchor a heating (39) is provided in a tool part configured to transport the bristles. After inserting the bristles into anchoring openings (12) in the bristle carrier (10), the anchoring openings are closed by applying pressure.

This specification discloses an article of manufacture. The article of manufacture has at least one structural blank and at least one guide. The structural blank has a plurality of oriented fiber plies in a thermoplastic matrix. The guide has a plurality of random dispersed fibers in a thermoplastic matrix. The guide is affixed to the structural blank by injection molding and over molding the guide onto the structural blank. The article of manufacture can take a number of forms for use in industries such as aircraft, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, trains or watercraft.

A method of joining polymer components includes additively manufacturing first and second mating features on first and second polymer components such that a mechanical lock is created through undercut geometric features of an adhesive material when the polymer components are joined. Adhesive is added between the mating components to strengthen the joint.

The present disclosure describes a three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional object includes a light polymerized body, at least one internal chamber residing within the light polymerized body, the at least one internal chamber having at least one frangible wall, and a curable component contained within the at least one internal chamber. The three-dimensional object may further include at least one channel extending inwardly from an outer surface of the light polymerized body toward the internal chamber and at least a portion of the at least one channel being adjacent to the at least one frangible wall of the at least one internal chamber. Methods of bonding an insertable object to a three-dimensional object and kits are also described.

The composite tube may include a body having a longitudinal centerline axis and at least one end portion. The at least one end portion may include a plurality of segments that are angled relative to the longitudinal centerline axis and are circumferentially separated from each other by a plurality of slits. The composite tube may be implemented in a joint assembly that includes a support wedge. The support wedge may at least partially engage at least one of a radially inward surface of the at least one end portion and a radially outward surface of the at least one end portion.

A method of anchoring a lightweight building element having a first building layer and an interlining layer distally of the first building layer, and possibly a second building layer distally of the interlining layer. For anchoring, the distal end of a connector element is inserted into a mounting hole in the lightweight building element, and also a sleeve including a thermoplastic material is inserted into the mounting hole, the sleeve enclosing the connector element. Then, a distally facing liquefaction face of the sleeve is caused to be in contact with a proximally facing support face of the connector element. Energy impinges to liquefy at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve, and the liquefaction face is pressed against the support face to cause at least a fraction of the flow portion to flow radially outward. After the flow portion has re-solidified, it anchors the connector element in the receiving object.

A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.

A first object is anchored in a second object. The first object has a material with thermoplastic properties, and the second material has a material that is solid and is penetrable by the first material when in a liquefied state. The second object has an insertion face with an opening having a mouth in the insertion face, and the first object has an insert portion that for anchoring is placed in the opening or about the mouth thereof. For anchoring, energy suitable for liquefaction of the first material impinges in an amount and for a time sufficient for at least partial liquefaction of the first material and interpenetration of the first and second materials. The second object, around the opening, has an anisotropic strength with respect to forces perpendicular to the opening axis.

Components are fastened with inserts that are placed into a hole in the component and bonded with an adhesive. A decoupling element is provided on the front face of the insert. This diverts the forces around the highly stressed front face of the inserts. The insert may be of a material with a lower stiffness compared with the adhesive. This arrangement may reduce stress peaks and increase the load capacity of the connection. A tool may be provided that reduces air inclusion between the insert and the component during fitting. The connection arrangement can be used when components of different stiffnesses have to be securely connected to one another. This applies to, among other things, fastening of fibre composite components or mineral components to metal components.