A strip assembly helically windable to form a pipe is disclosed. The strip assembly includes a pair of joined elongate strips, each strip having a strip width and a strip height and each strip including: a base; at least one longitudinal rib upstanding from the base; a pair of spaced apart longitudinal parallel edges; and an angled joining end surface. Each joining end surface has a joining width, the joining width at least 5% greater than the strip width. Also each joining end surface has a joining height, the joining height at least 10% greater than the strip height. The additional joint area provided by the angled joining end surfaces provides a significantly stronger joint.

A thermoplastic filament comprising multiple polymers of differing flow temperatures in a geometric arrangement and an interior channel containing a structural or functional thread therein is described. A method for producing such a filament is also described. Because of the difference in flow temperatures, there exists a temperature range at which one polymer is mechanically stable while the other is flowable. This property is extremely useful for creating thermoplastic monofilament feedstock for three-dimensionally printed parts, wherein the mechanically stable polymer enables geometric stability while the flowable polymer can fill gaps and provide strong bonding and homogenization between deposited material lines and layers. These multimaterial filaments can be produced via thermal drawing from a thermoplastic preform, which itself can be three-dimensionally printed. Furthermore, the preform can be printed with precisely controlled and complex geometries, enabling the creation of a filament or fiber with an interior thread contained within the outer, printed filament or fiber. This thread adds structural reinforcement or functional properties, such as electrical conductivity or optical waveguiding, to the filament.

A method for connecting a surface-structured workpiece (SSW) and a plastic workpiece using a joining tool with a sonotrode. The method includes: positioning the SSW and the plastic workpiece on an anvil such that a structured contact surface section (SCSS) of the SSW faces a contact surface of the plastic workpiece; positioning the sonotrode in contact with an outer surface of the SSW that is opposite to the SCSS; and applying pressure to the sonotrode and/or the anvil perpendicular to the contact surface to hold the workpieces fixed between the anvil and the sonotrode and applying ultrasonic vibrations to the workpieces by the sonotrode for a predetermined period of time to induce softening of the plastic workpiece and penetrate pin-like elements of the SCSS into the plastic workpiece.

A system for interconnecting components in a vehicle body structure, and especially for interconnecting fiber-reinforced composite components in a fuselage structure of an aircraft. The system includes a first adapter member, a second adapter member and a connector member. The first adapter member has a first mating portion configured to substantially conform with a profile of a first component of the structure in more than one plane. A first attachment portion is connected to the first mating portion. The second adapter member has a second mating portion configured to substantially conform with a profile of a second component of the structure in more than one plane. A second attachment portion is connected to the second mating portion. The connector member securely interconnects the first and second attachment portions of the first and second adapter members. A related method of interconnecting components in a vehicle body structure is also disclosed.

A method for forming a structural member and a structural member produced thereby includes positioning a first composite section and a second composite section within a tool. The tool has an inner surface and a wall intersection and is supported by a tool platform. The tool platform and a pressure platform are relatively movable between an open position and a closed position. The tool has a non-planar outer surface against which the member may be pressed. A composite splice member is positioned at least partially overlapping both the first composite section and the second composite section to form a joint in the composite structural member. The composite structural member is pressed against the non-planar outer surface of the tool by applying pressure to the joint from a pressure bladder. Heat is applied to the composite structural member at the joint to cure the composite splice member to the first composite section and the second composite section.

A new and improved system for interconnecting components in a vehicle body structure, and especially for interconnecting fiber-reinforced composite components in a fuselage structure of an aircraft. The system includes: a first adapter member having a first mating portion that is adhesively bonded with a profile of a first component of the structure in more than one plane, and a first attachment portion connected to the first mating portion; a second adapter member having a second mating portion that is adhesively bonded with a profile of a second component of the structure in more than one plane, and a second attachment portion connected to the second mating portion; and a connector member to securely interconnect the first and second attachment portions of the first and second adapter members.

A method for joining sections of at least two components, particularly vehicle components, includes mutually connecting the joining sections exclusively by the use of a fibrous duroplastic molding compound.

The subject invention includes methods and apparatus for joining treads. Such methods include the step of providing a first tread portion and a second tread portion for forming a joined tread, each tread portion comprising a section of tire tread extending lengthwise from a terminal end. Additional steps include providing a first fixture configured to retain the first tread portion and a second fixture configured to retain the second tread portion and securing the first tread portion into the first fixture and securing the second tread portion into the second fixture, each of the first and second fixtures being arranged within the first and second fixtures such that the terminal end of each tread portion is in communication with a joining side of each fixture. The methods further include directing the terminal ends towards each other and into forceful engagement with an elastomeric joining material arranged between the terminal ends.

The present disclosure discloses a friction welding structure, wherein the friction welding structure includes a first workpiece and a second workpiece. The first workpiece includes a workpiece body and a first welding structure, and the second workpiece includes a second workpiece body and a second welding structure. Both the first welding structure and the second welding structure are positioned between the first workpiece body and the second workpiece body. The first welding structure has a first lateral mating surface, and the second welding structure has a second lateral mating surface. The first lateral mating surface abuts against and is melt-connected to the second lateral mating surface through relative movement between the first workpiece and the second workpiece. In the friction welding structure of the present disclosure, since the first lateral mating surface and the second lateral mating surface for friction, are parallel to a first direction, a tangential stress is generated between the first lateral mating surface and the second lateral mating surface when the first workpiece and the second workpiece tend to separate from each other, enabling the first workpiece and the second workpiece to be more firmly bonded.

Provided is a resin profile joining method of joining a pair of resin profiles. The method includes: holding one resin profile and another resin profile of the pair of resin profiles with a first clamp and a second clamp, respectively, such that end surfaces of the pair of resin profiles are faced each other; heating the end surfaces of the pair of resin profiles in no contact with the end surfaces of the pair of resin profiles to melt the pair of resin profiles; making a guide in contact with surfaces of the pair of resin profiles so as to cover between the end surfaces of the pair of resin profiles after the heating; and crimping the end surfaces of the pair of resin profiles to each other while keeping the guide in contact with the surfaces of the pair of resin profiles.