A stiffening element comprises a tension and compression member, a shear member, an attachment member, and a plurality of beads. The tension and compression member is positioned spaced apart from the skin and configured to bear tension or compression forces that stiffen the skin and prevent the skin from buckling or bending. The shear member is connected to the tension and compression member and configured to bear shear forces between the skin and the tension and compression member. The attachment member is connected to the shear member and is configured to connect to the skin. The beads each create out-of-plane feature that is positioned in at least one of the shear member and the attachment member. The beads permit the stiffening element be reshaped to adjust a longitudinal curvature of the stiffening element.

A bed board for a diagnostic bed of a medical examination apparatus is formed in a material that includes basalt fibers. The bed board may have a bed board body composed of basalt fibers and a filler in a predetermined ratio, or may be formed by a hollow shell, composed of basalt fibers and a binder in a predetermined ratio, with the hollow shell being filled by a filler material.

A system for fusing thermoplastic composite structures includes a skin and a substructure on an inner surface of the skin. The system also includes a shaping surface of a tool, with the skin laid up on the shaping surface. The shaping surface is configured to maintain the shape of an outer mold line. The system further includes at least one insulation layer applied over a flange of the substructure and over exposed portions of the inner surface of the skin not in contact with the substructure, and a vacuum bag at least partly enclosing the skin and the substructure. Heat can be applied to the shaping surface to fuse the substructure to the skin such that the skin exceeds its melting point and at least a portion of a raised segment of the substructure does not exceed its melting point.

A system for fusing thermoplastic composite structures includes a skin and a substructure on an inner surface of the skin. The system also includes a shaping surface of a tool, with the skin laid up on the shaping surface. The shaping surface is configured to maintain the shape of an outer mold line. The system further includes at least one insulation layer applied over a flange of the substructure and over exposed portions of the inner surface of the skin not in contact with the substructure, and a vacuum bag at least partly enclosing the skin and the substructure. Heat can be applied to the shaping surface to fuse the substructure to the skin such that the skin exceeds its melting point and at least a portion of a raised segment of the substructure does not exceed its melting point.

A bladder-type pressure tank includes an outer shell, a bladder, a nozzle, and an elbow pipe. The outer shell includes a liner and a glass-fiber layer covering the outer surface of the liner. The liner includes polyethylene (PE). The liner further includes a chamber, a first opening, and a second opening. The bladder is disposed in the chamber. In an inflated state of the bladder, a gap is formed between the inflated bladder and the inner surface of the liner. The bladder includes polyurethane (PU). The nozzle is integrated with the bladder, and is disposed in the first opening and seals the first opening. The elbow pipe includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the elbow pipe is disposed in the second opening and communicates with the chamber; and the second end of the elbow pipe is configured to connect to a pipeline.

A method for manufacturing an engineered stone, the method including: providing a mixture comprising at least a stone or stone like material and a binder; compacting the mixture; curing the binder; and further comprising printing a printed pattern on at least a top surface of the engineered stone.

A method for manufacturing an engineered stone, the method including: providing a mixture comprising at least a stone or stone like material and a binder; compacting the mixture; curing the binder; and further comprising printing a printed pattern on at least a top surface of the engineered stone.

Methods and devices enabling an optimized cure cycle with an optimized control of operation parameters in an autoclave. To monitor the curing and providing a real time control, a sample having sensors for measuring a component parameter which depends from the curing state is placed in the autoclave. A first cure cycle is obtained by modelling the component and its curing, especially by GIM and simulations. Then the actual monitored curing rate and measured properties of the cured sample is compared with the model, and the cure cycle is updated when needed. Further, a similar sample may be used for calibrating the curing during a first component production or during further productions of subsequent components.

Methods and devices enabling an optimized cure cycle with an optimized control of operation parameters in an autoclave. To monitor the curing and providing a real time control, a sample having sensors for measuring a component parameter which depends from the curing state is placed in the autoclave. A first cure cycle is obtained by modelling the component and its curing, especially by GIM and simulations. Then the actual monitored curing rate and measured properties of the cured sample is compared with the model, and the cure cycle is updated when needed. Further, a similar sample may be used for calibrating the curing during a first component production or during further productions of subsequent components.

Provided are methods and devices for supporting of variety of different pre-cured composite stringers after forming and prior to curing. A post-forming processing device comprises a base with a channel for receiving hat portions of different stringers. The device also comprises a support structure, at least partially extending within the channel. The support structure is configured to conform to different hat portions and to retain the shape of these hat portions. For example, the support structure is made from a flexible material, which conforms to any shape variations. In some examples, the support structure is made from a jamming material that is reshaped together with each of the pre-cured composite stringers. A post-forming processing device is used for supporting different pre-cured composite stringers while various operations are performed on these stringers, such as stringer trimming, inspection, installation of bladders and noodles, and the like.