A butt fusion machine for joining of polyethylene pipe comprises a carriage assembly and a carriage controller disposed in the fusion machine. Programmed instructions stored in a non-volatile memory of the carriage controller control the carriage assembly for selectively operating in at least manual, automatic, and semi-automatic modes of the butt fusion process. The butt fusion process, after a setup sequence includes (1) selecting a sequence of operating steps of an automatic mode, a semi-automatic mode, and a manual mode; and (2) executing the selected operating mode. The semi-automatic mode includes at least one step requiring intervention by an operator to confirm proceeding to a next step.

A global optimization tool may be used to predict characteristics of a multiple ply layered composite as a condition of one or more continuous variables and/or one or more binary variables. For example, the global optimization tool may predict characteristics of a composite for a large range of fiber orientation angles of each of layer of the ply. The optimization tool may include solving a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model to obtain a multiple ply layered composite design that is optimized relative to objectives, such as areal weight and cost. Thus, the global optimization tool may be able to identify composite designs with lower areal weight and/or lower cost than the composite designs identified by prior art trial and error methods or heuristic algorithms. When a composite design is identified as meeting certain criteria that are input to the global optimization tool, that composite design may be manufactured.

A butt fusion machine for joining of polyethylene pipe comprises a carriage assembly and a carriage controller disposed in the fusion machine. Programmed instructions stored in a non-volatile memory of the carriage controller control the carriage assembly for selectively operating in at least one of a manual, automatic, and semi-automatic mode of the butt fusion process.

A butt fusion process, after a setup sequence includes (1) selecting a sequence of operating steps of a manual mode, an automatic mode, and a semi-automatic mode; and (2) executing the selected operating mode. The semi-automatic mode includes at least one step requiring intervention by an operator to confirm proceeding to a next step.

A method for sensing intensity of laser light in a simultaneous laser welding system includes placing a smart part in a weld area. The smart part includes at least a laser light intensity sensor for sensing laser light directed at it. Laser light intensity is sensed by the laser light intensity sensor of the smart part which provides an output signal indicative thereof to a controller.

A butt fusion machine for joining of polyethylene pipe comprises a carriage assembly and a carriage controller disposed in the fusion machine. Programmed instructions stored in a non-volatile memory of the carriage controller control the carriage assembly for selectively operating in at least manual, automatic, and semi-automatic modes of the butt fusion process.

The butt fusion process, after a setup sequence includes (1) selecting a sequence of operating steps of an automatic mode, a semi-automatic mode, and a manual mode; and (2) executing the selected operating mode. The semi-automatic mode includes at least one step requiring intervention by an operator to confirm proceeding to a next step.

A system and a method for determining a sealant profile to be applied by a sealant applicator, the applicator being arranged to apply sealant to the surface of a component. The system includes an imager configured to generate measurement data representing the surface of the component and a data receiver. The data receiver is arranged to receive the generated measurement data and predetermined component-related data. The system also includes a processor arranged to analyse the received data and to generate, based on the analysis, a sealant profile for application to the component, and a data output arranged to output data representing the generated sealant profile to the sealant applicator.

A method for sensing intensity of laser light in a simultaneous laser welding system includes placing a smart part in a weld area. The smart part includes at least a laser light intensity sensor for sensing laser light directed at it. Laser light intensity is sensed by the laser light intensity sensor of the smart part which provides an output signal indicative thereof to a controller.

A system and a method for determining a sealant profile to be applied by a sealant applicator, the applicator being arranged to apply sealant to the surface of a component. The system includes an imager configured to generate measurement data representing the surface of the component and a data receiver. The data receiver is arranged to receive the generated measurement data and predetermined component-related data. The system also includes a processor arranged to analyse the received data and to generate, based on the analysis, a sealant profile for application to the component, and a data output arranged to output data representing the generated sealant profile to the sealant applicator.

This disclosure relates to a cordless, hand held and electrically powered apparatus, comprising a welding unit (12), a power unit (4) for powering the welding unit, wherein the power unit is connectable directly to and disconnectable from the welding unit via an interface. The power unit is provided with a push button (16) that is configured to energize the welding unit when pressed down, thus initiating operation thereof. The advantage is that the apparatus can be made more compact, and thereby ease of handling is improved. Preferably, the welding unit and the power unit each comprise circuitry (17a, 17b) configured to exchange information when mounted together via the interface. The information is usable for a determination whether the power unit is a correct one or not.

An integrated system for fusing and sealing of a plurality of tubes is disclosed. The integrated system includes one or more fusing units configured to cut one or more tubes of multiple tubes simultaneously, and fusing the one or more tubes together along their respective cut ends; one or more sealing units configured to seal an end of the tube of the multiple tubes; and a control unit for controlling functions of the one or more fusing units and the one or more sealing units.