A resistance welding apparatus can employ a modular power supply system with multiple power supply modules and leads for electrically connecting the modular power supply system to a welding resistor. The resistance welding apparatus is selectively configurable in at least three of (i) a first configuration in which the leads connect the first power supply module to the resistor and the second power supply module is disconnected from the resistor; (ii) a second configuration in which the leads connect the second power supply module to the resistor and the first power supply module is disconnected from the resistor; (iii) a third configuration in which the leads connect the first and second power supply modules to the resistor in series; and (iv) a fourth configuration in which the leads connect the first and second power supply modules to the resistor in parallel.

A connection, and methods of making an using such a connection, the connection comprising a first layer; a second layer concentrically disposed about the first layer; and a laser-induced seal between portions of the first and second layers; wherein the laser-induced seal provides a fluid-tight engagement between the first and second layers. As to particular embodiments of the connection, the first layer can be incorporated into a first conduit and the second layer can be incorporated into a second conduit.

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

The invention relates to a method for the application of heating mats (10) on a wing/blade of a wind power station or other devices for the purpose of achieving deicing also during operation when necessary. Temperature measurement and de-icing take place by means of pulsed current to the heating mat (10). The invention also relates to an arrangement.

The invention relates to a method for checking, prior to welding, two components made of polymer material, the method comprising a step of determining respective values relating to the roughness of the components, a step of determining respective values relating to the cleanliness of the components, a step of determining respective values relating to the temperature of the components and automated means for halting progression to a subsequent method step should the predetermined conditions not be met.

The invention relates to a device (1) for measuring the surface condition of a component (4, 5, 6). Said device (1) comprises a measurement member (2) comprising at least one sensor (21, 22, 23) capable of measuring at least one datum relating to the surface condition of the component (4, 5, 6) and at least one transmitter (24) capable of transmitting the datum from the sensor (21, 22, 23). The measurement device (1) also comprises a support (3) for the measurement member (2), the support comprising means for connecting same to the component (4, 5, 6).

Disclosed embodiments provide automated fiber placement techniques for fabrication of parts made from composite materials. A peening system with multiple pins provides compaction over irregular surfaces, providing superior performance as compared with traditional compaction rollers. The apparatus that carries out the techniques include a tape dispensing system, a heating system, a peening system, a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory contains instructions that when executed by the processor perform the steps of: dispensing a first ply of thermoplastic composite tape over a mandrel; dispensing a second ply of thermoplastic composite tape on the first ply; and peening the second ply onto the first ply, such that the second ply is bonded to the first ply.

A system for joining at least two workpieces of thermoplastic material by laser transmission welding, the system comprising at least one device for generating laser radiation and an imaging optics having a first optical axis, wherein laser radiation emitted by the device for generating laser radiation is guided into a joining zone and wherein the imaging optics is configured for optical imaging from a joining plane in the joining zone to a detection plane of a radiation detecting device. According to an aspect, a deflection mirror is arranged at a coupling point on a second optical axis running parallel to the first optical axis for deflecting the laser radiation from an entrance axis enclosing a non-zero angle, preferably a right angle, with the second optical axis into a direction along the second optical axis.

A thermoplastic composite welding microwire temperature measurement system broadly comprises a plurality of moveable antennae configured to transmit interrogation signals, a rail system including a motorized linear stage configured to move the antennae along a weld line, and a reader or processor configured to determine a position of the microwire temperature sensor and determine a welding temperature based on response signals of the sensor. The interrogation signal corresponds to two different maximum ramp current amplitudes to create two re-magnetization pulses non-overlapping in the time domain.

A method for processing a resin member includes: irradiating a first member comprising a resin with first light of a first wavelength that causes electronic excitation of the resin; and irradiating the resin electronically excited through irradiation with the first light with second light of a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength. A wavelength range of the second wavelength is within a wavelength range in which light absorption of the resin increases through electronic excitation of the resin.