Aspects of the present disclosure include a pickleball paddle that is formed using a plastic or composite molded material. A composite material is wrapped around a center and placed in a mold to form a paddle frame or arranged around a paddle frame. In some embodiments, additional composite material is wrapped at specific positions to tune the balance point and rebound characteristics of the finished paddle The mold is heated to cure the composite material within the mold cavity. Face shells are then added to complete the paddle.

A method for manufacturing a quadrangular shell having five faces and non-developable trihedral connectors between the faces. Plies having continuous fibers are cut to cover the five faces of the shell outside of the trihedral connector zones. Four connector components consolidated in the shape of the trihedral connectors are obtained. Each of the components includes an integration zone between the plies. Plies are positioned and laid up. The four consolidated components are inserted in the trihedral connection zones by inserting the integration zones between two plies to form an assembly obtain a preform. The preform is placed in a tool and the consolidation of the stack of fibrous plies is performed by subjecting the assembly to a predetermined pressure/temperature cycle.

A shell core (1) configured for being incorporated in a shell of a fiber reinforced polymer composite structure wherein: the core has a first surface (2) and an opposite second surface (3), a first groove (4) is formed in the first surface (2) and divides the core into a first core part (5) and a second core part (6), the first groove (4) is defined by two opposing side walls (7a,7b) and a bottom (8), the distance T1 between the bottom (8) of the groove (4) and the second surface (3) of the core is of such a size that the core is flexible/bendable along the first groove, and the opposing walls (7a,7b) converge towards the bottom (8) forming an angle A1 of at least 45° with each other.

The invention relates to a flexible multilayer heating device, of the heating mat type, for implementing preforming or consolidation of fibrous preforms of composite parts. The device includes at least one first support layer, at least one first heating lead arranged on the at least one first support layer and defining a heat-treatment surface adapted to the surface of the composite part to be preformed or consolidated. A first network of wires is electrically connected to the at least one first heating lead. At least one second heating lead is arranged on the at least one first support layer and defines at least one thermal-blocking belt at the at least one periphery of the heat-treatment surface. A second network of wires is electrically connected to the at least one second heating lead. The invention also relates to plant equipped with a mould and such a heating mat.

The invention relates to a flexible multilayer heating device, of the heating mat type, for implementing preforming or consolidation of fibrous preforms of composite parts. The device includes at least one first support layer, at least one first heating lead arranged on the at least one first support layer and defining a heat-treatment surface adapted to the surface of the composite part to be preformed or consolidated. A first network of wires is electrically connected to the at least one first heating lead. At least one second heating lead is arranged on the at least one first support layer and defines at least one thermal-blocking belt at the at least one periphery of the heat-treatment surface. A second network of wires is electrically connected to the at least one second heating lead. The invention also relates to plant equipped with a mould and such a heating mat.

The present application relates to a composite material and a method for molding the same. Firstly, components to be pressed is disposed in a gas-isolation element, and located between two pressing plates. Next, a plate is disposed based on a location of a prepreg element of the components, and then a hot pressing step is performed. After the hot pressing step, a cooling step is performed, thereby producing the composite material of the present application. A dimension of the composite material can be easily adjusted to meet requirements of various applications.

Systems and methods for making an antenna reflector. The methods comprise: obtaining a Carbon Nano-Tube (“CNT”) material; cutting the CNT material into a plurality of wedge shaped pieces; and bonding together the wedge shaped pieces using a resin film adhesive to form the antenna reflector with a three dimensional contoured surface.

A composite forming apparatus includes an end effector and a forming feature that is coupled to the end effector. The end effector moves the forming feature relative to a forming tool to form a composite ply over a forming surface of the forming tool or over previously formed composite material on the forming surface of the forming tool. The composite forming apparatus further includes a positioning member engaged with the forming feature. The engagement between the positioning member and the forming feature facilitates a position between the forming feature and the composite ply to promote uniform application of compaction force over the forming surface of the forming tool.

A composite forming apparatus includes an end effector and a forming feature that is coupled to the end effector. The end effector moves the forming feature relative to a forming tool to form a composite ply over a forming surface of the forming tool or over previously formed composite material on the forming surface of the forming tool. The composite forming apparatus further includes a positioning member engaged with the forming feature. The engagement between the positioning member and the forming feature facilitates a position between the forming feature and the composite ply to promote uniform application of compaction force over the forming surface of the forming tool.

A method for forming a composite part includes positioning a composite ply over a forming surface of a forming tool, moving a forming feature into engagement with the composite ply to yield a formed ply, and, after the moving, securing the formed ply relative to the forming tool.