A waveguide for plastic welding has an entry end, an exit end as well as a first and a second inner face arranged between the entry end and the exit end, which are arranged opposite to each other and by means of which laser light can be reflected. A first distance between the entry end and the exit end defines a length of the waveguide and a second distance between the first and the second inner face defines a thickness of the waveguide. The exit end may be arranged opposite to the entry end and a central plane of the waveguide may extend centrally from the entry end to the exit end. The first inner face comprises a continuously curved, concave shape so that a third distance between the first inner face and the central plane varies continuously from the entry end in the direction of the exit end.

A waveguide for plastic welding has an entry end, an exit end as well as a first and a second inner face arranged between the entry end and the exit end, which are arranged opposite to each other and by means of which laser light can be reflected. A first distance between the entry end and the exit end defines a length of the waveguide and a second distance between the first and the second inner face defines a thickness of the waveguide. The exit end may be arranged opposite to the entry end and a central plane of the waveguide may extend centrally from the entry end to the exit end. The first inner face comprises a continuously curved, concave shape so that a third distance between the first inner face and the central plane varies continuously from the entry end in the direction of the exit end.

A waveguide for plastic welding has an entry end, an exit end as well as a first and a second inner face arranged between the entry end and the exit end, which are arranged opposite to each other and by means of which laser light can be reflected. A first distance between the entry end and the exit end defines a length of the waveguide and a second distance between the first and the second inner face defines a thickness of the waveguide. The exit end may be arranged opposite to the entry end and a central plane of the waveguide may extend centrally from the entry end to the exit end. The first inner face comprises a continuously curved, concave shape so that a third distance between the first inner face and the central plane varies continuously from the entry end in the direction of the exit end.

This specification discloses an article of manufacture. The article of manufacture has at least one structural blank and at least one guide. The structural blank has a plurality of oriented fiber plies in a thermoplastic matrix. The guide has a plurality of random dispersed fibers in a thermoplastic matrix. The guide is affixed to the structural blank by injection molding and over molding the guide onto the structural blank. The article of manufacture can take a number of forms for use in industries such as aircraft, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, trains or watercraft.

Disclosed are embodiments of a volume control storage bag and methods of making same. The volume control storage bag may have first and second sidewalls, a double-locking closure mechanism with a first closure element extending along the first sidewall and a second closure element extending along the second sidewall, each closure element having a channel and an elongated member configured for interlocking with one another. A gusset is sealed along three sides of the first and second sidewalls, leaving an opening through the closure mechanism and defining an interior space having a specific volume. Corner seals may be formed at the corners of the first and second sidewalls, further reinforcing the double-locking closure mechanism for an airtight and hence waterproof seal. The volume control storage bag may be made of a food-grade polyethylene vinyl acetate blend, approximately 90% or less ethylene vinyl acetate and approximately 10% or less polyethylene.

A method is described for making a retort container having one or two metal ends. A heat-sealable material is present on one or both of the container side wall and the/each metal end. The/each metal end is seamed onto the container body, and the resulting container assembly is conveyed on a conveyor adjacent to an induction sealing head and then adjacent to a cooling device. A pressure belt engages the upper end of the container assembly to keep the metal end from coming off the container body during the induction heating and cooling processes.

A method for assembling a shear web assembly of a wind turbine includes providing at least one spar cap. The method also includes forming a spar connecting member of a thermoplastic material via additive manufacturing. Further, the method includes securing the spar connecting member to the spar cap. Moreover, the method includes providing a shear web, forming a web connecting member of a thermoplastic material via additive manufacturing, and securing the web connecting member at a first end of the shear web. In addition, the method includes interconnecting the web connecting member and the spar connecting member at a joint. Thus, the method further includes heating the joint to secure the web connecting member and the spar connecting member together.

A composite blade includes a composite blade body including reinforced fibers and resin; a metal layer provided on an outer side of a leading edge section including a leading edge that is a part of the composite blade body on an upstream side of an air stream, the metal layer having a thickness of equal to or larger than 5 micrometers and equal to or smaller than 100 micrometers; an adhesive layer provided between the composite blade body and the metal layer to bond the metal layer to the composite blade body; and an electric insulating layer provided in contact with a surface of the leading edge section of the composite blade body, the surface being on the side on which the metal layer is provided, the electric insulating layer having an electric insulating property.

Disclosed are embodiments of a versatile storage bag and methods of making same. The versatile storage bag may have first and second sidewalls, a double-locking closure mechanism with a first closure element extending along the first sidewall and a second closure element extending along the second sidewall, each closure element having a channel and an elongated member configured for interlocking with one another. A double-seal along three sides of the first sidewall and the second sidewall form a gusset between two seals, leaving an opening through the double-locking closure mechanism. Corner seals may be formed at the corners of the first and second sidewalls, further reinforcing the double-locking closure mechanism for an airtight and hence waterproof seal. The versatile storage bag may be made of a food-grade polyethylene vinyl acetate blend, approximately 90% or less ethylene vinyl acetate and approximately 10% or less polyethylene.

Disclosed are embodiments of a versatile storage bag and methods of making same. The versatile storage bag may have first and second sidewalls, a double-locking closure mechanism with a first closure element extending along the first sidewall and a second closure element extending along the second sidewall, each closure element having a channel and an elongated member configured for interlocking with one another. A double-seal along three sides of the first sidewall and the second sidewall form a gusset between two seals, leaving an opening through the double-locking closure mechanism. Corner seals may be formed at the corners of the first and second sidewalls, further reinforcing the double-locking closure mechanism for an airtight and hence waterproof seal. The versatile storage bag may be made of a food-grade polyethylene vinyl acetate blend, approximately 90% or less ethylene vinyl acetate and approximately 10% or less polyethylene.