A molding device is includes a mandrel that has an arc-shaped cross section; a roller that has a round-shaped cross section, is movable along a surface of the mandrel, and applies a pressing force to a material to be molded placed on the mandrel; a gripping unit that grips the material to be molded on an outside of the roller with respect to the mandrel and applies a tensile force to the material to be molded; a roller driving unit that moves the roller along the surface of the mandrel; a gripping-unit driving unit that moves the gripping unit. A control unit synchronizes a position of the roller and a position of the gripping unit with each other to control the roller driving unit and the gripping-unit driving unit so that the material to be molded is arranged in a direction perpendicular to a vertical direction of the mandrel.

According to an aspect, a method of assembling a mandrel includes assembling a plurality of members via interlocking features arranged at opposing edges of each member of the plurality of members to form a compartment, the assembled members having a collective outer surface that conforms to an inner surface of the spar. A support member is inserted into the compartment formed radially inward from the assembled members, the support member making contact with a portion of each member of the plurality of members.

This invention describes novel design and construction method for inflatable, pressure intensifier equipment that can be used for processing composites structures. The equipment can be used as a manufacturing and processing platform wherever low pressure and high temperature inputs are required in an enclosed volume.

A method of and apparatus for forming one or more flanges or formations, which may conveniently be inwardly facing, on or in a hollow continuously wound structural member, such as a hollow pole, the method including the steps of providing a tapered mandrel on which to continuously wind a loop of filament or filaments to form a hollow structural member, providing an end-forming plate at at least one end of the mandrel, placing one or more formers on the outside of the mandrel adjacent to and spaced from the or each end plate by a required amount to form one or more flanges when the member has been fully wound and set within a resin, and subsequently removing the continuously wound structural member from the mandrel.

A method and apparatus in the manufacture of a spirally wound and welded tube is disclosed. A thermoplastic profile is slid along a path on a slider arranged in an axial direction of the tube and defining a cylindrically shaped winding surface with a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the tube to be manufactured. The profile is directed along a spiral path towards a previous turn of said profile by means of radial rollers spaced along said spiral path by adjusting the position of the rollers: Opposite edges of said profile turns are welded together by providing an extruded welding mass between said profile turns. The welded tube is fed from the welding station by means the rollers by sliding it onto a rotating support.

A method and apparatus in the manufacture of a spirally wound and welded tube is disclosed. A thermoplastic profile is slid along a path on a slider arranged in an axial direction of the tube and defining a cylindrically shaped winding surface with a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the tube to be manufactured. The profile is directed along a spiral path towards a previous turn of said profile by means of radial rollers spaced along said spiral path by adjusting the position of the rollers: Opposite edges of said profile turns are welded together by providing an extruded welding mass between said profile turns. The welded tube is fed from the welding station by means the rollers by sliding it onto a rotating support.

A method includes the step placing composite laminate material onto a three dimensional forming tool with an external surface and at least four junctures associated with the external surface. Each juncture is positioned between two adjacent planar surfaces in which each of the two adjacent surfaces extend in a different plane, the junctures converge and each juncture defines a line of direction. The three dimensional forming tool arranged in a two dimensional pattern, has the lines of direction and the two adjacent planar surfaces positioned on opposing sides of each of the at least four junctures are all positioned in a common plane. The line of direction of each of the at least four junctures in the two dimensional pattern converge to a common point. At least one line of direction is not in alignment beyond the common point with another line of direction. Tool apparatus is also provided.

The present disclosure is directed to a method of forming a composite component. The method includes laying one or more layers of uncured composite material onto a mandrel. The mandrel which includes a plurality of conductive media dispersed in a thermoplastic material. An electric current is supplied to the mandrel to resistively heat the one or more layers of uncured composite material to a temperature sufficient to cure the one or more layers of uncured composite material to form a cured composite component. The mandrel is removed from the cured composite component.

A method of making a 3D tube and the 3D tube made thereby. The method comprises: inserting a deflated pre-formed bladder into the 3D tube; and inflating the pre-formed bladder to deform the 3D tube and make the 3D tube have a substantially similar shape as that of the pre-formed bladder inflated.

A method of making a 3D tube and the 3D tube made thereby. The method comprises: inserting a deflated pre-formed bladder into the 3D tube; and inflating the pre-formed bladder to deform the 3D tube and make the 3D tube have a substantially similar shape as that of the pre-formed bladder inflated.