The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade (10). The method comprises arranging one or more shear webs (50, 55) within a first shell half. At least one support frame (80) is fixe to one or more anchoring points (86) on the inside surface (36b) of the first shell half, the support frame comprising a free end (81) for engaging with a lateral surface of the shear web. One or more guide element (74) are fastened to at least one of the lateral surfaces of the shear web such that the guide element extends laterally from the shear web to form a receiving space (88) between the guide element (74) and the shear web (55). The shear webs are then lowered into the first shell half such that the free end (81) of the support frame (80) is received in the receiving space (88) between the guide element (74) and the shear web (55).

Methods and apparatus for positioning a structure on a polymer layer are described. A method may involve forming a first polymer layer. The method may further involve positioning, by an apparatus, a structure on the first polymer layer, where the apparatus comprises a rod having a first end that supports the structure as the structure is being positioned and a plunger located around the first end of the rod that presses the structure onto the first polymer layer as the structure is being positioned. And the method may involve forming a second polymer layer over the first polymer layer and the structure, where the first polymer layer defines a first side of a body-mountable device and the second polymer layer defines a second side of the body-mountable device opposite the first side.

A method of fastening a second object to a fiber composite part including a structure of fibers embedded in a matrix material includes: providing the fiber composite part including an attachment surface, with a portion of the structure of fibers being exposed at the attachment surface; providing the second object; placing the second object relative to the fiber composite part, with a resin in a flowable state between the attachment surface and the connector; pressing the second object and the fiber composite part against each other and causing mechanical vibration to act on the second object or the fiber composite part or both, thereby causing the resin to infiltrate the exposed structure of fibers and activating the resin to cross-link; whereby the resin, after cross-linking, secures the second object to the fiber composite part.

Systems and methods for a coupler including: a cable comprising a bend relief disposed at an end of the cable and one or more wires; a socket comprising one or more pins and one or more socket terminals, where the one or more pins are electrically connected to the one or more socket terminals; and a housing body disposed between the cable and the socket, where the housing body comprises a portion of the bend relief and the one or more wires connected to the one or more socket terminals, and where at least a portion of the housing body is made of hot melt such that the housing body encapsulates the portion of the bend relief, the one or more socket terminals, and the one or more wires connected to the one or more socket terminals.

A method of anchoring a connector in a first object, wherein the first object is a lightweight building element having a first outer building layer and an interlining layer, and wherein the connector includes thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method includes: bringing a coupling surface portion of the connector into contact with an attachment location of the first outer building layer; displacing a portion of the first outer building layer at the attachment location with respect to the interlining layer by applying a first pressing force to the first outer building layer and thereby piercing the first outer building layer; applying a second pressing force to the connector and transferring energy to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material has liquefied and flown to interpenetrate structures of the interlining layer; and stopping the energy transfer and allowing the flow portion to re-solidify.

Systems for positioning and bonding a nutplate to a substrate having an aperture include a nutplate engagement fixture and a temperature sensor retention fixture. The nutplate engagement fixture includes a rigid tube and an elastomeric tube engaged with the rigid tube, the elastomeric tube having an elongated tube sized to provide a friction fit with the aperture and retain the elastomeric tube within the aperture. The rigid tube is operable to engage the nutplate at one end and the elastomeric tube is configured to anchor the nutplate engagement fixture at the aperture and secure the nutplate in contact with the substrate. The temperature sensor retention fixture includes a fixture body sized and configured to engage with the nutplate and at least one passageway within the fixture body sized and configured to allow a temperature sensor to be inserted or embedded therein with an end proximal a surface of the nutplate.

A laminating auxiliary jig includes a base having an accommodating recess, and a pressing plate pivotably attached to the base and having a positioning trough. When the pressing plate is opened, it is separated from the accommodating recess, which a first composite material is put into. When the pressing plate is closed, it is located in the accommodating recess and pressed on the first composite material, the positioning trough communicates with the accommodating recess, and at least one middle foam material is put into the positioning trough to be positioned and attached to the first composite material. When the pressing plate is opened again, a second composite material is put into the accommodating recess to be attached to the middle foam material. Therefore, the laminating auxiliary jig helps a user quickly complete laminating the multilayer composite material. The method of using the laminating auxiliary jig is also provided.

A sealing strip holder for manipulating and transporting a sealing strip preform in an at least partially automated production process, the sealing strip preform preferably having limp properties. To make the manufacturing process faster and less expensive the sealing strip holder comprises at least one clamping jaw which interlockingly and/or frictionally engages at least one surface portion of the sealing strip preform.

The invention relates to a method for assembling a first and a second part of a lighting device for a vehicle by mirror welding, including a step of supplying the parts wherein each part comprises, in the interface area thereof for contact with the other part, a weld bead intended to come into contact against the weld bead of the other part during the mirror welding, the weld bead of at least one of the parts is provided with a plurality of expander ribs (N) spread out along the weld bead, in such a way as to locally expand the width of the weld bead.

Part retention features are disclosed for securing additively manufactured (AM) parts or for securing an AM part with another component, such as a node, panel, tube, extrusion, and the like, while an adhesive is being applied and/or while the adhesive is undergoing expansion due to a subsequent curing process. The retention features described herein can be used in the context of one or more AM parts such that the elements used to house the retention features (e.g., grooves, apertures, elastic elements, etc.) can advantageously be co-printed with the AM part, thereby removing a manufacturing step. The retention features also can be made with flatter profiles than existing solutions, making the overall structure smaller and less cumbersome to assemble.