A method of blind welding thermoplastic composite components is provided. The method includes providing a first and second thermoplastic composite components each having a bonding surface. The first thermoplastic composite component has a first melting temperature and the second thermoplastic composite component has a second melting temperature; providing an interface layer having a third melting temperature; disposing the interface layer between the bonding surfaces; disposing an external susceptor adjacent to the outer surface of the first thermoplastic composite component, wherein the external susceptor includes a central segment and lateral segments that respond differently to an application of an EM field; applying a normal force to the first component external susceptor without an application of an opposing second normal force to the second thermoplastic component; and applying an electromagnetic field to the central and lateral segments using an inductor.

A sonotrode and anvil are adapted for ultrasonic welding of work pieces, to produce a narrower weld region that exhibits greater durability, permitting use of less material per package. The horn-to-anvil contact is through a plurality of energy directors arranged into a three-dimensional grid pattern to be capable of distributed vibration-transmissive contact. The energy directors include a series of plateau surfaces regularly spaced apart in a first direction, and in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, to form the grid pattern. The energy directors of the horn are configured to interlock with the energy directors of the anvil. The rectangular-shaped plateaus are spaced apart by angled side-surfaces that form valleys. A stepped transition to a corresponding region of reduced height for the energy directors of the sonotrode and anvil may form a cosmetic seal region with a lesser integrity, in addition to the main barrier seal.

A sterile needle guide for use during a biopsy procedure includes a planar plate having at least one tubular needle guide extending there through. Needle guide may be manufactured from a kit having plurality of guide tubes each paired with a drill bit. In practice, a drill bit and guide tube are coupled to a drilling machine and positioned relative to a planar blank at a location derived from previously recorded or real-time imaging data. Drilling through the plate causes the guide tube to extend through the plate and become thermally fused therewith. In one embodiment, a guide tube includes multiple needle guide passages enabling multiple, clustered insertion points in a single area from a single guide tube.

An apparatus for joining substrate portions includes substrate portions being positioned such that the substrate portions overlap at an overlap area. The substrate portions each have a melting temperature and an outer surface. A fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to at least partially melt the substrate portions. A jet of the heated fluid is directed from a fluid orifice onto the substrate portions at the overlap area. The heated fluid penetrates at least one of the outer surfaces of the substrate portions. The substrate portions are at least partially melted using the heated fluid. The substrate portions are compressed using a pressure applying surface adjacent the fluid orifice to join the substrate portions together at the overlap area.

A yarn or thread may include a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at least ninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material. Various woven textiles and knitted textiles may be formed from the yarn or thread. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be thermal bonded to other elements to form seams. A strand that is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material may extend through the seam, and the strand may be thermal bonded at the seam. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be shaped or molded, incorporated into products, and recycled to form other products.

A yarn or thread may include a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at least ninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material. Various woven textiles and knitted textiles may be formed from the yarn or thread. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be thermal bonded to other elements to form seams. A strand that is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material may extend through the seam, and the strand may be thermal bonded at the seam. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be shaped or molded, incorporated into products, and recycled to form other products.

A sonotrode and anvil are adapted for ultrasonic welding of work pieces, to produce a narrower weld region that exhibits greater durability, permitting use of less material per package. The horn-to-anvil contact is through a plurality of energy directors arranged into a three-dimensional grid pattern to be capable of distributed vibration-transmissive contact. The energy directors include a series of plateau surfaces regularly spaced apart in a first direction, and in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, to form the grid pattern. The energy directors of the horn are configured to interlock with the energy directors of the anvil. The rectangular-shaped plateaus are spaced apart by angled side-surfaces that form valleys. A stepped transition to a corresponding region of reduced height for the energy directors of the sonotrode and anvil may form a cosmetic seal region with a lesser integrity, in addition to the main barrier seal.

A joining method for joining a first member having a hole that is opened on at least one surface, to a second member including a material of which a melting temperature is lower than that of a constituent material of the first member, includes: laminating the second member on the first member so as to cover an opening of the hole; and introducing that material of the second member which is softened or melted into the hole through the opening and curing the material of the second member.

A method of joining substrate portions includes positioning the substrate portions such that the substrate portions overlap at an overlap area. The substrate portions each have a melting temperature and an outer surface. A fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to at least partially melt the substrate portions. A jet of the heated fluid is directed from a fluid orifice onto the substrate portions at the overlap area. The heated fluid penetrates at least one of the outer surfaces of the substrate portions. The substrate portions are at least partially melted using the heated fluid. The substrate portions are compressed using a pressure applying surface adjacent the fluid orifice to join the substrate portions together at the overlap area.

A synthetic resin-made welding joint that has a pipe end portion into which an end portion of a synthetic resin-made tube is to be fitted and inserted, and that is configured so that the pipe end portion and the tube end portion which is fitted and inserted thereinto are enabled to be welded together by heating of heating means which externally surrounds the pipe end portion, therefore, a synthetic resin-made holder which is fitted and attached onto the pipe end portion is disposed, and a flange for ensuring a radial expansion gap with respect to the heating means is integrally formed in the holder.