Systems and methods are provided for controlling welding. One embodiment is a method for controlling welding of a composite part. The method includes locating a linear fiber optic sensor along a composite part comprising a matrix of thermoplastic reinforced by fibers, measuring temperatures along the weld line via the linear fiber optic sensor, performing induction welding at the composite part along the weld line, determining a continuum of weld temperatures along the weld line, and controlling the induction welding based on the continuum of weld temperatures.

The present disclosure sets out a contact welding tool having at least one heating element for contacting a workpiece and at least one heat source for heating the heating element, at least one heat source being an infrared radiation source emitting infrared radiation in the short-wave infrared range. The present disclosure also sets out a method for operating a contact welding tool wherein a heating element of the contact welding tool is heated by means of short-wave infrared radiation and then the heating element is brought into contact with a workpiece to be reshaped. The present contact welding tool and method can be used particularly advantageously for heat staking, for example of plastic rivets.

A system using a pressure differential to clamp welding heads on opposite sides of a joint of a thermoplastic composite structure to be welded. The heads are positioned over the joint opposite each other. Each head includes a housing defining a chamber having a lower pressure such that the pressure differential forces the head against the side. Each head includes a contour plate located in the space and against the joint, and at least one of the heads includes a heater located in the space and heating the contour plate to a welding temperature. The system may also include a first arm coupled with one of the heads and moving it along the joint so as to remain aligned with the other head, and a second arm coupled with the other head and moving it along the joint while the system welds the joint in successive overlapping sections.

The embodiment includes: a planar graphite heater; a clamp device that moves the graphite heater, which is arranged between a first bonding surface W1a of a first composite material member and a second bonding surface of a second composite material member facing the first bonding surface, in a traveling direction with the graphite heater being in contact with the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface; and a control unit that controls the graphite heater to heat the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface while the graphite heater is in contact with the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface.

A heat sink for use in induction welding includes a number of tiles, where the tiles are electrically non-conductive and thermally conductive, a joint flexibly joining the tiles together, and a fluid path formed through the heat sink for communicating a coolant therethrough.

Systems and methods are provided for consolidating thermoplastic parts. One embodiment is a method of automatically forming a thermoplastic composite structure. The method includes heating a thermoplastic preform to a forming temperature, forming the thermoplastic preform into a thermoplastic part having a desired shape, aligning multiple thermoplastic parts together, and consolidating the multiple thermoplastic parts together while controlling crystallization to form a complex thermoplastic part.

A heat sink for use in induction welding includes a flexible backing and a number of tiles disposed on the flexible backing in a single layer, wherein the tiles are electrically non-conductive and thermally conductive.

A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic composite product includes: providing a first and second thermoplastic composite component made from a consolidated stack of thermoplastic composite plies, said first and second component having a first and second ply drop off, respectively. The first and second components are positioned such that the first ply drop off and the second ply drop off are aligned, and the first and second components are fixedly connected by means of heating. The stacks of plies for the first and second components are constructed by stacking the plies in a stacking direction wherein the plies are arranged such that plies at a different position along the stacking direction are laterally offset relative to each other for the purpose of forming the first ply drop off and the second ply drop off, respectively, before consolidating.

A production machine for the production of collapsible pouches having a fitment. The machine has a fitment sealing station with an impulse sealing device comprising a first jaw and a second jaw and with an actuator device configured to move the first and second jaws relative to one another between an opened position and a clamped position, as well as a cooling device configured to cool each of the first and second jaws. The fitment sealing station is configured to perform an impulse sealing cycle.

The disclosure refers to a packaging device for manufacturing a packaging for a foodstuff. In particular, the packaging may include a trough-shaped lower packaging part and a top film which can be sealed together along their edges by means of a sealing tool of the packaging device. In order to improve a packaging device completely without evacuation or by evacuation in a simple and inexpensive manner with only a slight negative pressure in such a way that sufficient vapor purging is possible and at the same time cooling of the foodstuff before sealing or excessive degassing of the foodstuff does not take place, vapor can be introduced under pressure between the lower packaging part and the top film at at least one vapor entry point before sealing and can be released into the surrounding atmosphere at an outlet point from the packaging.