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.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a heat-sealing device capable of preventing problems associated with cap sealing performance and/or sensation of the cap being open due to an inappropriate cap temperature. For this purpose, this heat-sealing device (10), which is used in a manufacturing apparatus (100) for manufacturing a product for which an opening part (1A: mouth part) of a container (1) is sealed with a cap (2), is provided with: a pressing plate (5) which is disposed on a path along which the containers (1) move; a heating unit (3) and sealing heads (4) for pressing the caps (2) sealing the container (1), the heating unit (3) and sealing heads (4) being arranged on the pressing plate (5); a temperature measurement device (7) for measuring the temperatures of the sealing heads (4); and a control device (8: control unit) for transmitting control signals to a container conveyance drive source (for example, inverter) in accordance with the measurement results from the temperature measurement device (7).

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.

The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for establishing a connection having material continuity or having material continuity and shaping matching or for separating such a connection of at least one metal or ceramic component and of a component formed from or by a thermoplastic polymer in which the components to be joined together can be pressed together by a pressing device having a counterholder and a plunger. A heating device is present at the plunger and/or at the counterholder or acts there. A heating of the at least one metal or ceramic component up to above the softening temperature of the component formed from or by polymer can be achieved with the heating device, with the heating device being having at least one electrical resistance heating element that is covered by an electrically insulating, preferably ceramic, protective film, and/or having at least one laser beam that is directed to the metal component(s) within the joining region, and/or having at least one inductor present at the plunger and/or at the counterholder for the inductive heating of the meal component(s).

The invention relates to a process (100) for manufacturing an object (1) made of thermoplastic polymer composite from at least two parts (10) made of thermoplastic polymer composite, said thermoplastic polymer composite comprising a fibrous reinforcement and a thermoplastic polymer matrix, said process comprising the steps of: arranging (120) the two parts (10) made of thermoplastic polymer composite adjacently or overlapping at an assembly interface zone (11), and heating (130) to melt the thermoplastic polymer matrix at said assembly interface zone (11), so as to form an object (1) made of thermoplastic polymer composite comprising a welded interface (12).

An end effector, for adhesively attaching a first part to a second part, comprises a support and a first nozzle, coupled to the support and movable relative to the support, and a second nozzle, coupled to the support and movable relative to the support. The first nozzle comprises a first-nozzle body, comprising a first-nozzle-body outlet port and a first-nozzle separator plate, extending from the first-nozzle body. The second nozzle comprises a second-nozzle body, comprising a second-nozzle-body inlet port and a second-nozzle separator plate, extending from the second-nozzle body. The end effector further comprises a roller, coupled to the support, rotatable relative to the support about a roller axis, and located between the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

A packaging apparatus with an improved pinch roller apparatus, fluid supply apparatus, and/or a sealing apparatus. The pinch roller apparatus (e.g., comprising one or more guide and/or pinch rollers) is used to deliver film material to the fluid supply apparatus (e.g., nozzle and blower apparatus, or the like) that fills one or more chambers of the film material with fluid (e.g., air, gas, or other like fluid), and the film material is then sealed by a sealing apparatus (e.g., using one or more heating elements with an improved temperature sensor configuration) that seals the fluid within the one or more chambers in order to form the inflated article (e.g., inflated packaging material). In particular, the sealing apparatus provides improved sealing through the improved accuracy of the temperature reading in the heating zone, in part, by locating a sensor between a heating element and a protective member that covers the sensor.

A bioprocessing system comprising a series of processing stations for performing operations for bioprocessing is disclosed. The bioprocessing system includes an automated system comprising means for manipulating a fluid connection between a first container and a separable second container whereby to create an aseptic connection that enables a controlled transfer of fluid or cell material between the first container and the second container, wherein the means for manipulating a fluid connection is configured to create an aseptic connection that can be disconnected after the transfer of fluid or cell material is complete to enable a further such fluid connection to be manipulated between the first container and a separable third container, and means for controlling an automated sequence of operation of the processing stations.