Provided is a heating device including: a heating unit that heats a laminate which includes a plurality of sheet-like composite materials including reinforced fiber and thermoplastic resin, and heats, via a first contact surface disposed in contact with the laminate, the thermoplastic resin included in the laminate being in contact with the first contact surface to a softening temperature or higher; a cooling unit that cools, via a second contact surface disposed in contact with the laminate, the thermoplastic resin included in the laminate located outside of the second contact surface to a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and a pressing unit that applies a predetermined pressure to the laminate via the first contact surface and the second contact surface, the second contact surface being disposed so as to surround the first contact surface.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade, comprising arranging one or more layers of fibre material and a preform in a mould (66), injecting the one or more layers of fibre material and the preform (76) with a curable resin, and curing the resin. The preform (76) is impregnated with a curing promoter such that the concentration of curing promoter varies spatially within the preform.

A system for manufacturing a part includes a mold having a contoured forming surface. The system also includes at least one tension strap, configured to attach to a consolidated laminate sheet, and a heating assembly, positioned relative to the mold and configured to supply heat to the consolidated laminate sheet, when attached to the at least one tension strap, to form a heated consolidated laminate sheet. The system additionally includes a strap retraction mechanism, configured to retract the at least one tension strap, when attached to the consolidated laminate sheet, to force the heated consolidated laminate sheet against the contoured forming surface of the mold. The heating assembly includes a flexible heating element configured to flex to conform to a shape of the heated consolidated laminate sheet as the heated consolidated laminate sheet is forced against the contoured forming surface of the mold.

The invention is characterized by a semifinished composite structure product with the at least two layers, of which the at least one layer, in which the continuous fibers are contained, is heated such that the matrix of thermoplastic material is heated within at least one first surface region to or above a melting temperature that can be assigned to the thermoplastic material, and the matrix of thermoplastic material is kept to a temperature below the melting temperature within a second surface region directly adjoining the first surface region. The semifinished composite structure product is heated in this way so that the moldable thermoplastic, continuous fiber-reinforced composite structure in which the continuous fibers within the first surface region are movable relative to each other and those within the second surface region are spatially fixed relative to each other.

An apparatus for manufacturing a composite article from a composite material. The apparatus comprising: a pulsed broadband radiation source comprising a flashlamp and a light guide adapted to guide light emitted by the pulsed broadband radiation source to a target area. The light guide comprises at least a portion ahead of the pulsed broadband radiation source, relative to the target area, comprising a light transmitting material.

A method for marking a workpiece (6) uses a device, wherein the workpiece (6) is formed at least partially in a thermal master or forming process, comprises a surface (10) directed towards the workpiece (6), wherein a number of individually controllable heating elements (2) is distributed behind the surface (10) for a local heating of a workpiece surface portion. Each of the heating elements (2) comprises a solid material (11) having a surface structure and a heating structure (3), wherein the surface (10) directed towards the workpiece (6) encompassing the surface structures (40) has a uniform smooth surface allowing to dark, burn or foam the surface (7) of the workpiece (6) through heat introduction.

A method for manufacturing a blade shell part of a wind turbine blade includes providing a mould for manufacturing a blade shell part of the wind turbine blade. The mould has a first moulding side with a first moulding surface that defines an outer shape of the blade shell part. The method comprises providing a blade shell part on the first moulding surface and providing a support element and attaching the support element to a fastening section of the blade shell part. Attaching the support element includes applying adhesive between the support element and the fastening part. The method also includes providing an air heating assembly having a cover extending in a longitudinal direction between a first cover end and a second cover end and extending in a transverse direction between a primary cover end and a secondary cover end, the cover defining a cavity.

An expansion apparatus includes: a first expander for irradiating with electromagnetic waves emitted from a lamp a thermal conversion layer for conversion of the electromagnetic waves to heat, to cause at least a portion of a thermal expansion layer to expand, the thermal conversion layer being laminated to a molding sheet including a base and the thermal expansion layer laminated to a first main surface of the base; and a second expander for causing expansion of a region (C) of the thermal expansion layer that is smaller in size than a region (B) of the thermal expansion layer expanded by the first expander.

A heated composite tool, useful for forming, debulking, and/or curing prepreg materials, including a composite build structure having a shape of a composite part that is to be produced, configured to receive and support prepreg materials during lay-up, and including a heating structure physically coupled to the composite build structure, and comprising at least one heating element, including a carbon nanotube structured layer defining a current path having first and second ends and first and second electrical terminals electrically coupled to the first and second ends and a first isolation ply disposed between the composite build structure and the at least one heating element, the first isolation ply forming an electrical insulating gap between the at least one heating element and the composite build structure, wherein the carbon nanotube structured layer is responsive to an electromotive force applied across the first and second electrical terminals to heat the tool.

The invention relates to a flexible multilayer heating device, of the heating mat type, for implementing preforming or consolidation of fibrous preforms of composite parts. The device includes at least one first support layer, at least one first heating lead arranged on the at least one first support layer and defining a heat-treatment surface adapted to the surface of the composite part to be preformed or consolidated. A first network of wires is electrically connected to the at least one first heating lead. At least one second heating lead is arranged on the at least one first support layer and defines at least one thermal-blocking belt at the at least one periphery of the heat-treatment surface. A second network of wires is electrically connected to the at least one second heating lead. The invention also relates to plant equipped with a mould and such a heating mat.