A first aspect of the invention provides a method of joining a part to a composite component, the composite component comprising fibres impregnated with a matrix material, and the part comprising a plurality of projections, the method comprising: inserting the projections into the composite component; and pre-heating the projections before they are inserted into the composite component, so that the projections are at a higher temperature than the composite component as they are inserted into the composite component. The projections locally heat the matrix material of the composite component as they are pushed into the composite component. Increased temperature during insertion is advantageous as the reduced matrix viscosity, due to the increased temperature of the matrix, results in better consolidation of the fibres around the projections and minimises the distortion of the fibres. The composite component is only heated locally where heating is required, which removes the need to heat the entire composite component.

Methods and apparatus are described for improving fit checking at the bonding interface of a first component, such as a fan blade (1), and a second component, such as an edge guard (2) for the fan blade (1), to be bonded by adhesive. A bondline thickness profile over the area of the bonding interface is determined by interposing a compressible, flexible sensor layer between the components before they are bonded. The sensor layer contains an array of piezoelectric elements which indicate local bondline thickness by signalling pressure due to compression of the layer. The bondline thickness profile can be processed by a programmed control processor to produce an adhesive application schedule prescribing the shapes of pieces of adhesive film which, when applied over the bonding interface, will build up an adhesive layer corresponding in thickness to the bondline thickness. The sensor layer can be prepared as a kit of shaped panels or as a contoured preform (55) matching the form of the bonding interface.

An apparatus 10) and a method for manufacturing plastic bags (20) from at least two layers of plastic film (30, 40). The apparatus (10) comprises a lower tool plate (300) and an upper tool plate (400); the lower tool plate (300) is driven by a crank (650) on a servomotor (675). The servomotor (675) is connected to a measuring device (680) for measuring the power consumption.

An ultrasonic welding system includes a movable ultrasonic welding stack for applying vibrational energy to a workpiece. A motion control system controls the motion of the ultrasonic welding stack and one or more sensors sense a control variable and output a corresponding control signal. A controller provides control inputs, based on the control signal, to the motion control system and causes, following initiation of a welding operation, an automatic change of speed of motion of the ultrasonic welding stack. The automatic change of the speed is a function of at least one control variable until the control variable reaches a predetermined value.

A feedback control system for use with ultrasonic welding. A weld energy set point and/or a reference power curve are used by a controller to provide a power supply voltage set point and a power supply frequency set point for the power that is to be drawn by an ultrasonic weld generator. Information regarding the actual voltage and/or frequency of the drawn electrical power, and/or the frequency and magnitude of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from the generator to an applicator tool used to weld an object can be utilized by an estimator to estimate the weld energy dissipated at the weld site and/or generate a power curve for the welding operation. Using information from the estimator, the controller can determine adjustments for variables for the current and/or future welding operations. Further, welding may not commence until a clamping force exerted on the object satisfies a clamping force set point.

An ultrasonic welding system includes a motion control system that is coupled to and that causes controlled movement of an ultrasonic welding stack, in accordance with control inputs that are based on one or more control signals that are received from one or more sensors. The motion control system initiates a welding operation, subsequent to which an initial motion delay occurs until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Subsequently, in response to the predetermined condition being satisfied, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to move in accordance with a weld profile. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay initiating condition, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to stop motion and to maintain a stationary position. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay terminating condition, motion of the ultrasonic welding stack is resumed in accordance with the weld profile.

An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

An ultrasonic welding system includes a motion control system that is coupled to and that causes controlled movement of an ultrasonic welding stack, in accordance with control inputs that are based on one or more control signals that are received from one or more sensors. The motion control system initiates a welding operation, subsequent to which an initial motion delay occurs until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Subsequently, in response to the predetermined condition being satisfied, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to move in accordance with a weld profile. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay initiating condition, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to stop motion and to maintain a stationary position. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay terminating condition, motion of the ultrasonic welding stack is resumed in accordance with the weld profile.

An ultrasonic welding system includes a motion control system that is coupled to and that causes controlled movement of an ultrasonic welding stack, in accordance with control inputs that are based on one or more control signals that are received from one or more sensors. The motion control system initiates a welding operation, subsequent to which an initial motion delay occurs until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Subsequently, in response to the predetermined condition being satisfied, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to move in accordance with a weld profile. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay initiating condition, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to stop motion and to maintain a stationary position. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay terminating condition, motion of the ultrasonic welding stack is resumed in accordance with the weld profile.