A method for producing a part made of composite material includes adding a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix around a preform of a reinforcing fiber mesh made by filament winding around the spurs or the like of a frame. There is winding in addition to the fibers on one or several reels within the matrix, the axes of the spurs or the like and those of the one or more reels having different orientations, so as to provide the mesh of fibers with a three-dimensional shape.

A filament is fed to an extrusion head. The filament has a semi-crystalline polymeric reinforcement portion and a polymeric matrix portion. The reinforcement and matrix portions run continuously along a length of the filament. The reinforcement portion has a higher melting point and a higher crystallinity than the matrix portion. The temperature of the filament is raised in the extrusion head above the melting point of the matrix portion but below the melting point of the reinforcement portion so that the matrix portion of the filament melts within the extrusion head, thereby forming a partially molten filament within the extrusion head. The partially molten filament is extruded from the extrusion head onto a substrate, the reinforcement portion of the partially molten filament remaining in a semi-crystalline state as it is extruded from the extrusion head. Relative movement is generated between the extrusion head and the substrate as the partially molten filament is extruded onto the substrate in order to form an extruded line on the substrate. The matrix portion of the extruded line solidifies after the extruded line has been formed on the substrate.

A filament is fed to an extrusion head. The filament has a semi-crystalline polymeric reinforcement portion and a polymeric matrix portion. The reinforcement and matrix portions run continuously along a length of the filament. The reinforcement portion has a higher melting point and a higher crystallinity than the matrix portion. The temperature of the filament is raised in the extrusion head above the melting point of the matrix portion but below the melting point of the reinforcement portion so that the matrix portion of the filament melts within the extrusion head, thereby forming a partially molten filament within the extrusion head. The partially molten filament is extruded from the extrusion head onto a substrate, the reinforcement portion of the partially molten filament remaining in a semi-crystalline state as it is extruded from the extrusion head. Relative movement is generated between the extrusion head and the substrate as the partially molten filament is extruded onto the substrate in order to form an extruded line on the substrate. The matrix portion of the extruded line solidifies after the extruded line has been formed on the substrate.

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for using nonwoven materials for evacuation slides, life rafts, life vests, and other life-saving inflatable devices. The nonwoven materials have a substrate layer with continuous filaments formed in various directions.

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for using nonwoven materials for evacuation slides, life rafts, life vests, and other life-saving inflatable devices. The nonwoven materials have a substrate layer with continuous filaments formed in various directions.

A stiffening element comprises a tension and compression member, a shear member, an attachment member, and a plurality of beads. The tension and compression member is positioned spaced apart from the skin and configured to bear tension or compression forces that stiffen the skin and prevent the skin from buckling or bending. The shear member is connected to the tension and compression member and configured to bear shear forces between the skin and the tension and compression member. The attachment member is connected to the shear member and is configured to connect to the skin. The beads each create out-of-plane feature that is positioned in at least one of the shear member and the attachment member. The beads permit the stiffening element be reshaped to adjust a longitudinal curvature of the stiffening element.

An apparatus for impregnating fiber structures with a matrix material includes a lower part having a bath for receiving the matrix material and a draining unit. The draining unit includes a wiper having a wiping edge, over which the impregnated fiber structure is guided during operation, and a surface inclined in the direction of the bath, by which matrix material draining from the fiber structure can return into the bath. The draining unit includes a cover on which a deflection unit, by which the fiber structure is pressed into the bath when the cover is mounted, is mounted. When the cover is mounted, a gap is formed between the cover and the lower part on the sides by which the fiber structure is guided into the apparatus and emerges from the apparatus. A method for impregnating fiber structures with a matrix material is also disclosed.

An apparatus for impregnating fiber structures with a matrix material includes a lower part having a bath for receiving the matrix material and a draining unit. The draining unit includes a wiper having a wiping edge, over which the impregnated fiber structure is guided during operation, and a surface inclined in the direction of the bath, by which matrix material draining from the fiber structure can return into the bath. The draining unit includes a cover on which a deflection unit, by which the fiber structure is pressed into the bath when the cover is mounted, is mounted. When the cover is mounted, a gap is formed between the cover and the lower part on the sides by which the fiber structure is guided into the apparatus and emerges from the apparatus. A method for impregnating fiber structures with a matrix material is also disclosed.

An impregnation device includes an impregnation unit, a first supply unit, a second supply unit, and a supply controller. The impregnation unit impregnates a bundle of transported continuous fibers with a resin mixture. The first supply unit supplies a resin of a first composition to the impregnation unit. The second supply unit supplies a resin of a second composition that is different from the resin of the first composition to the impregnation unit. The supply controller controls an amount of resin supplied from the first supply unit and the second supply unit to the impregnation unit.

An impregnation device includes an impregnation unit, a first supply unit, a second supply unit, and a supply controller. The impregnation unit impregnates a bundle of transported continuous fibers with a resin mixture. The first supply unit supplies a resin of a first composition to the impregnation unit. The second supply unit supplies a resin of a second composition that is different from the resin of the first composition to the impregnation unit. The supply controller controls an amount of resin supplied from the first supply unit and the second supply unit to the impregnation unit.