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).

A method for joining two substantially planar fiber-composite structural components, includes stacking the two components on a support jig to overlap along a joining region. A lower component end section within the joining region borders a gap between the upper component and the jig, where the upper component is unsupported by the jig. The gap is bordered on an opposite side of the lower component end section by a filling portion of the upper component or a planar filler element supported by the jig. The lower component is joined to the upper component within the joining region by applying temperature and pressure to the components. A width of the gap allows the upper component to elastically deform along the gap under the pressure and bend down into the gap to abut the jig along the gap and thereby compensate thickness tolerances between the components during the pressure application.

A method for producing a plastic tank having one or more reinforcements. The method includes forming at least one part of the tank wall with a semi-finished panel made of plastic having at least one outer layer composed of a first thermoplastic, forming a reinforcement for the tank wall with at least one fibre-reinforced structural component comprising a matrix composed of a second thermoplastic that is weldable to the first thermoplastic. The fibre-reinforced structural component is then applied to a predefined region of the at least one outer layer of the semi-finished panel. The fibre-reinforced structural component is then fused with the outer layer of the semi-finished panel by applying heat to the semi-finished panel and the applied fibre-reinforced structural component. The fused fibre-reinforced structural component and semi-finished panel is then formed into a final shape. Optionally, the formed component is then connected to at least one other part of the tank wall to form the complete tank wall.

A method for connecting at least two structural parts of an orthopedic component, wherein the structural parts are retained in an orienting device while oriented in relation to each other, and an intermediate space thus being formed between the structural parts. The orienting device and the structural parts together form a cavity, which has a flow connection to at least one feed connection, via which an adhesive for adhesively bonding the structural parts is introduced into the cavity.

A method for surface preparation of composite substrates prior to adhesive bonding. A curable surface treatment layer is applied onto a curable, resin-based composite substrate, followed by co-curing. After co-curing, the composite substrate is fully cured but the surface treatment layer remains partially cured. The surface treatment layer may be a resin film or a removal peel ply composed of resin-impregnated fabric. After surface preparation, the composite substrate is provided with a chemically-active, bondable surface that can be adhesively bonded to another composite substrate to form a covalently-bonded structure.

An apparatus for fastening a pair of gas vessels includes: a plurality of first units formed of a composite material, spaced apart from each other in parallel with each other in a length direction of the gas vessel, and having the pair of gas vessels seated on both sides thereof; a second unit formed of a composite material and extending in the length direction of the gas vessels to integrally connect the plurality of first units; and a plurality of fastening units each of which extending along a circumference of the gas vessels to enclose the gas vessels seated on the first units and having both ends connected to the first units.

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.

A method for producing a component with a surface that is suitable for plastic welding or adhesive bonding of two parts is provided. As a preparation step prior to joining, a filler sheet comprising a thermoplastic material or adhesive is arranged on a first surface of a first component and a structuring tool is arranged on the filler sheet. Mechanical force is applied to the structuring tool and heat is applied to the filler sheet such that the filler sheet is attached to the first surface of the first component and such that the structuring tool is partially embedded in the filler sheet. The structuring tool is subsequently removed from the filler sheet to produce a plurality of protrusions in the outer surface of the filler sheet. After surface structuring the first and second components are joined using any type of welding technique or joined using of adhesive bonding.

A system for fusing thermoplastic composite structures includes a skin and a substructure on an inner surface of the skin. The system also includes a shaping surface of a tool, with the skin laid up on the shaping surface. The shaping surface is configured to maintain the shape of an outer mold line. The system further includes at least one insulation layer applied over a flange of the substructure and over exposed portions of the inner surface of the skin not in contact with the substructure, and a vacuum bag at least partly enclosing the skin and the substructure. Heat can be applied to the shaping surface to fuse the substructure to the skin such that the skin exceeds its melting point and at least a portion of a raised segment of the substructure does not exceed its melting point.

To improve a method for ultrasonic welding of parts for vehicles and/or aircraft, a method in which an energy director made of non-woven fiber material is arranged between a first fiber composite part and a second fiber composite part to be joined together. A sonotrode is used to join/weld the parts together by pressing on the parts. The energy director is compliant such that a uniform even contact is generated between the first and second fiber composite parts during the welding process.