An automatic-darkening filter 10, 10 that comprises a first polarizer 14, a second polarizer 18, a first liquid-crystal cell 16, and a sensor 64. The first polarizer 14 has a first polarization direction, and the second polarizer 18 has a second polarization direction. The liquid crystal cell 16 is disposed between the first and second polarizers 14, 18 and contains first and second optically-transparent, flexible, glass layers 40 and 42 with the liquid crystal layer 48 being located between these layers. The sensor 64 detects incident light and causes a signal to be sent, which causes molecular rotation within the liquid crystal layer. The inventive automatic-darkening filter is beneficial in that overall product weight can be reduced and the view field can be increased.

In the ultrasonic welding method, ultrasonic vibration is imparted to a first resin member via a horn while applying a pressing force to the first resin member and a second resin member in which weld portions and come into contact with each other by using a jig for supporting the second resin member and the horn that is disposed to face the jig and in contact with the first resin member so as to weld the first resin member and the second resin member, in which a jig of which a support surface for supporting the second resin member is formed of an elastomer is used as the jig.

A method of producing vehicles includes coating a vehicle body with paint, drying the paint, mounting attachment parts on load-bearing components of the vehicle body that has been coated with the paint that has been dried, and applying an adhesive film including an adhesive layer to a surface of the vehicle body that has been coated with the paint that has been dried or at least one attachment part mounted thereon, wherein, to apply the adhesive film, the adhesive film is positioned between the surface and an elastic membrane with an automated system, and the elastic membrane is transformed in selected regions into a curved state with a convex and a concave side and is brought into contact with the surface with the convex side in front such that the adhesive layer of the adhesive film is pressed onto the surface by the membrane over the entire surface area.

Herein are disclosed apparatus and methods for impinging heated fluids onto the surfaces of substrates to heat the surfaces of the substrates so as to facilitate melt-bonding the substrates to each other to form a laminate. Also are disclosed are laminates in which a fibrous web is bonded to a substrate in a surface-bonded manner and/or is bonded in a loft-retaining manner. The substrate may comprise protrusions on the surface of the substrate opposite the surface that is bonded to the fibrous web.

Disclosed is a method of joining different materials including a polymer composite and high-tensile steel, at excellent joining strength and, more particularly, a method in which various variables in friction bit joining are designed and adjusted to improve joining load between different materials.

The present disclosure is directed to a Friction Stir Welding device for welding one or more arcuate work pieces. The device including an arcuate boom, a friction stir welding head, and a saddle operatively coupling the welding head to the arcuate boom for moving the welding head with respect to the arcuate boom. The saddle may be coupled to the arcuate boom via a drive mechanism for moving the saddle, and the welding head that is coupled thereto, with respect to the arcuate boom. The welding head may also be provided with three degrees of freedom with respect to the arcuate boom so that the welding head can rotate, tilt and move linearly with respect to the arcuate boom.

A mounting tool (1) for mounting a friction-welding boss (9), wherein the mounting tool (1) includes a drive shaft (2) with a first end section (3) adapted to create a detachable force coupling with the friction-welding boss (9) or an adapter and a holder is arranged spring-loaded at the first end section (3) and at least one cutting means (6) is arranged at the holder (5). A milling adapter (10) includes a first end section (11) adapted to create a detachable force coupling with a mounting tool (1), and a second end section (12) including at least one cutting means (13).

A machine and method for making bags is described and includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar, having a single sealing zone, and a weakening zone disposed within the single sealing zone. The single sealing zone may be a heated perforator, includes a heating wire. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire stitched into the heater, and be disposed on a cap or on the seal bar. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity. The sealing zone may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.

A method for preparing a composite body (1) comprising a support body (2) and at least one decorative element (3), preferably a gemstone (3a, 3b), the support body (2) comprising a thermoplastic material, the method being characterized by the steps of: arranging the decorative element (3) on the support body (2), heating the support body (2), pressing the decorative element (3) into the support body (2) by using a stamp (4) consisting of an elastically deformable material, the material of the stamp (4) being selected from the group of elastomers.

A machine and method for making bags is described and includes a web, traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar, having a first sealing zone, and an adjacent weakening zone. The weakening zone may be a heated perforator, includes a heating wire, or be disposed to create an auxiliary sealed area. The heating wire can have, connected thereto, a source of power that is at an adjustable voltage or magnitude, and/or pulsed, and/or a feedback loop. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire and make intermittent contact with the web and be disposed in an insert. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity, is a separating zone, or includes a heat film, a toothed blade, a row of pins, a source of air, or a source of vacuum. The sealing zones may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.