The robotic device conducts an action on a curved ferromagnetic surface. The robotic device includes a chassis platform and at least one magnetic side drive module. The chassis platform rolls on the curved ferromagnetic surface and is maintained thereon by virtue of the curved ferromagnetic surface being ferromagnetic. The at least one magnetic side drive module is pivotally attached to the chassis platform and is for conducting the action on the curved ferromagnetic surface as the chassis platform rolls on the curved ferromagnetic surface.

The robotic device conducts an action on a curved ferromagnetic surface. The robotic device includes a chassis platform and at least one magnetic side drive module. The chassis platform rolls on the curved ferromagnetic surface and is maintained thereon by virtue of the curved ferromagnetic surface being ferromagnetic. The at least one magnetic side drive module is pivotally attached to the chassis platform and is for conducting the action on the curved ferromagnetic surface as the chassis platform rolls on the curved ferromagnetic surface.

According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.

According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.

Methods of making fiber-containing prepregs are described. The methods may include the steps of providing a plurality of fibers, and applying a reactive resin composition to the plurality of fibers to make a mixture of the plurality of fibers and the resin composition. The reactive resin composition may include at least one of monomers and oligomers capable of polymerizing into a polymerized resin matrix. The mixture may be heated to a polymerization temperature where the monomers, oligomers, or both polymerize to form a fiber-resin amalgam that includes the polymerized resin matrix. The fiber-resin amalgam may be formed into the fiber-containing prepreg. Also described are methods of forming a fiber-reinforced composite that includes the prepreg.

Methods of making fiber-containing prepregs are described. The methods may include the steps of providing a plurality of fibers, and applying a reactive resin composition to the plurality of fibers to make a mixture of the plurality of fibers and the resin composition. The reactive resin composition may include at least one of monomers and oligomers capable of polymerizing into a polymerized resin matrix. The mixture may be heated to a polymerization temperature where the monomers, oligomers, or both polymerize to form a fiber-resin amalgam that includes the polymerized resin matrix. The fiber-resin amalgam may be formed into the fiber-containing prepreg. Also described are methods of forming a fiber-reinforced composite that includes the prepreg.

A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic prepreg includes a double belt mechanism that is configured to compress a fiber mat, web, or mesh that is passed through the double belt mechanism, a resin applicator that is configured to apply monomers or oligomers to the fiber mat, web, or mesh, and a curing oven that is configured to effect polymerization of the monomers or oligomers and thereby form the thermoplastic polymer as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is moved through the curing oven. The double belt mechanism compresses the fiber mat, web, or mesh and the applied monomers or oligomers as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is passed through the curing oven so that the monomers or oligomers fully saturate the fiber mat, web, or mesh. Upon polymerization of the monomers or oligomers, the fiber mat, web, or mesh is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer.

A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic prepreg includes a double belt mechanism that is configured to compress a fiber mat, web, or mesh that is passed through the double belt mechanism, a resin applicator that is configured to apply monomers or oligomers to the fiber mat, web, or mesh, and a curing oven that is configured to effect polymerization of the monomers or oligomers and thereby form the thermoplastic polymer as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is moved through the curing oven. The double belt mechanism compresses the fiber mat, web, or mesh and the applied monomers or oligomers as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is passed through the curing oven so that the monomers or oligomers fully saturate the fiber mat, web, or mesh. Upon polymerization of the monomers or oligomers, the fiber mat, web, or mesh is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer.

Technologies and techniques for the dry manufacture of an electrode. A substrate is provided, and a primer material is dispensed on the substrate to provide a primer layer on the substrate, dispensing an electrode material on the primer layer and attaching the electrode material via pressure and/or temperature to provide an electrode material layer.

There is provided an adhesive application apparatus capable of efficiently applying an adhesive without inhibiting curing of the adhesive. An adhesive application apparatus of the present invention includes a mounting table 10, an adhesive dosing unit 20, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 30, and it applies a delayed-ultraviolet-curable adhesive 200 to a surface of a panel 100. The panel 100 is mounted on a mounting surface S10 of the mounting table 10. The adhesive dosing unit 20 applies the adhesive 200 to the surface of the panel 100 mounted on the mounting table 10 by discharging the adhesive 200 from an adhesive dosing port H20. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 30 irradiates the adhesive 200 dosed from the adhesive dosing port H20 with ultraviolet light L. Here, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 30 irradiates the adhesive 200 with the ultraviolet light L along the mounting surface S10 before the adhesive 200 dosed from the adhesive dosing port H20 is applied to the surface of the panel 100.