In one embodiment, a method includes fastening a plurality of components of a composite structure in an assembly fixture, wherein the assembly fixture comprises a plurality of strands of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, wherein the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic embedded with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is aligned within each strand of the plurality of strands, and wherein the assembly fixture further comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the assembly fixture; and heating the assembly fixture in an autoclave to bond the plurality of components of the composite structure.

In one embodiment, a method includes fastening a plurality of components of a composite structure in an assembly fixture, wherein the assembly fixture comprises a plurality of strands of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, wherein the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic embedded with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is aligned within each strand of the plurality of strands, and wherein the assembly fixture further comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the assembly fixture; and heating the assembly fixture in an autoclave to bond the plurality of components of the composite structure.

A composite structure comprises stacked sets of laminated fiber reinforced resin plies and metal sheets. Edges of the resin plies and metal sheets are interleaved to form a composite-to-metal joint connecting the resin plies with the metal sheets.

In one embodiment, an assembly fixture may include a base structure including a plurality of strands of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic embedded with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is aligned within each strand of the plurality of strands, and wherein the base structure further comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the base structure, The assembly fixture may further include a plurality of fastening structures coupled to the base structure, wherein the plurality of fastening structures is configured to fasten a plurality of components of a composite structure for assembly using a heated bonding process.

A composite structure comprises stacked sets of laminated fiber reinforced resin plies and metal sheets. Edges of the resin plies and metal sheets are interleaved to form a composite-to-metal joint connecting the resin plies with the metal sheets.

In one embodiment, an assembly fixture may include a base structure including a plurality of strands of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic embedded with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is aligned within each strand of the plurality of strands, and wherein the base structure further comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the base structure, The assembly fixture may further include a plurality of fastening structures coupled to the base structure, wherein the plurality of fastening structures is configured to fasten a plurality of components of a composite structure for assembly using a heated bonding process.

The present invention effects a reduction in production cost and increases yield of a transparent resin molded article and prevents the generation of defects such as bubbles, weld lines, and sink marks. This injection molding device (2A) for a transparent resin molded article is equipped with: a die (3) for injection molding the transparent resin molded article; and a gate (5) that is provided to the peripheral edge of the die (3) and that is the inlet through which a resin material (R) is injected into the die (3). The thickness dimensions (Ta) of the die (3) are in the range of 15-25 mm, and the ratio of the diameter dimensions (D) of the gate (5) to the thickness dimensions (Ta) of the die (3) is set in the range of 1:6 to 1:3.

In one embodiment, a method may comprise heating a composite material into a viscous form, wherein the composite material comprises a thermoplastic and a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is randomly arranged within the thermoplastic. The method may further comprise extruding a plurality of strands of the composite material, wherein extruding the plurality of strands causes the plurality of reinforcement fibers within each strand to align. The method may further comprise arranging the plurality of strands of the composite material to form an assembly fixture, wherein the assembly fixture comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property, and wherein the anisotropic thermal expansion property is based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the assembly fixture.

The present invention effects a reduction in production cost and increases yield of a transparent resin molded article and prevents the generation of defects such as bubbles, weld lines, and sink marks. This injection molding device (2A) for a transparent resin molded article is equipped with: a die (3) for injection molding the transparent resin molded article; and a gate (5) that is provided to the peripheral edge of the die (3) and that is the inlet through which a resin material (R) is injected into the die (3). The thickness dimensions (Ta) of the die (3) are in the range of 15-25 mm, and the ratio of the diameter dimensions (D) of the gate (5) to the thickness dimensions (Ta) of the die (3) is set in the range of 1:6 to 1:3.

A method of manufacturing a light plate includes defining a three-dimensional model of the light plate. The model includes a translucency map configured to light balance the light plate. The translucency map defines a first portion having a first translucency. The method includes providing the model to an additive layer device; selecting at least one material based on the model; and depositing the at least one material in a layer based on the model. The method includes at least one of adhering the at least two layers of material with one another and cross-linking the at least two layers of material with one another to form a first region of the light plate corresponding to the first portion of the translucency map.