An automatic bonding apparatus and a method for thermally induced seam bonding of weldable and/or gluable flat flexible material layers with each other which are each configured as a material web, material band and/or material piece and arranged so that they overlap at least partially wherein the bonding is performed by an electrically controlled contact heating arrangement through a heating wedge welding method. A temperature and/or a power of the heating wedge which is formed by a thin folded steel sheet blank is controlled as a function of a relative velocity between the material layers and the automatic bonding apparatus. This is performed so that a thermal energy that is transferred from the heating wedge to the material layers to be glued is kept constant. For this purpose the relative velocity is detected and the power of the heating wedge is automatically adjusted when the relative velocity changes.

An image system can comprise a sheet of clear thermoplastic material formed to define an interior space configured for disposal of an image or a three-dimensional object. The sheet can comprise a substrate upon which an image can be directly printed or otherwise attached. The image system can comprise two or more panes that meet at a vertex along a corner or are oriented at an angle relative to one another. The vertex can be formed using a tool in combination with selective heating and cooling of the thermoplastic material. The image can extend across at least two of the panes. The image system can comprise a mount configured to deter theft or tampering. Connectors can be utilized to connect two or more image systems to one another.

Methods for installing an advertising unit at an installation area of a surface are provided. The installation area is cleaned. One or more holes are formed in the installation area. The adhesive is applied at the installation area. The advertising unit is deposited at the installation area atop the adhesive. A fastener is passed through at least a portion of the advertising unit into each of the one or more holes. The adhesive is cured.

A method and apparatus for conforming a display panel to a surface of an aircraft structure. The method positions the display panel within a resin barrier that is located on the surface such that a cavity is formed, places a film and the display panel together, and applies a force on the display panel that causes the display panel to conform to the surface of the aircraft structure. The display panel has a shape that changes to a first shape to match a second shape of the surface of the aircraft structure. The method also injects a resin into the cavity while the force is applied, and cures the resin in the cavity while the force is applied to form a cured resin. The cured resin holds the display panel in the first shape and attaches the display panel to the surface of the aircraft structure.

A method for installing an advertising unit on a ground surface includes cleaning an installation area located at the ground surface, applying an adhesive at the installation area, depositing the advertising unit at the installation area atop the adhesive, and curing the adhesive. In some embodiments, the advertising unit comprises a back unit having a track which accommodates a cover in a sliding fashion. In some embodiments, the installation area may be excavated to render an upper surface of the advertising unit flush with the surface of the ground when deposited.

A method and apparatus for conforming a display panel to a surface of an aircraft structure. The method positions the display panel within a resin barrier that is located on the surface such that a cavity is formed, places a film and the display panel together, and applies a force on the display panel that causes the display panel to conform to the surface of the aircraft structure. The display panel has a shape that changes to a first shape to match a second shape of the surface of the aircraft structure. The method also injects a resin into the cavity while the force is applied, and cures the resin in the cavity while the force is applied to form a cured resin. The cured resin holds the display panel in the first shape and attaches the display panel to the surface of the aircraft structure.

A method for printing on a multi-dimensional object may include creating a customized object holder for the multi-dimensional object by heating a thermoforming sheet to a thermoforming temperature, molding the heated thermoforming sheet around at least a portion of a multi-dimensional object to form a holding portion for the multi-dimensional object, creating one or more printable areas on the molded thermoforming sheet, and applying one or more datum points on the molded thermoformed sheet. The one or more datum points may be configured to provide information relating to position of the one or more printable areas to a print system.

A method for printing on a multi-dimensional object may include creating a customized object holder for the multi-dimensional object via thermoforming. The customized object holder includes at least one datum point for providing registration information corresponding to one or more printable areas of the multi-dimensional object. The method may then include mounting the multi-dimensional object on the customized object holder, attaching the customized object holder to a moving sled of a print system, and controlling the movement of the moving sled relative to a plurality of print heads, and operating the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto the multi-dimensional object. The movement of the moving sled may be controlled by determining a position of at least one printable area on the multi-dimensional object, and using the determined position to control the movement of the moving sled relative to the plurality of print heads.

A holder for display content is described. The display holder includes a main section, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The main section provides a base, a back panel, and a front panel. The back panel protrudes from a back edge of the base at an angle between about 45 degrees and about 70 degrees. The front panel protrudes from a front edge of the base and is at least 67% shorter than the back panel. The first side panel is attached to a first edge of the main section and the second side panel is attached to a second edge of the main section. The main section, the first side panel, and the second side panel define a recess for receiving the display content.

A method for printing on a multi-dimensional object may include creating a customized object holder for the multi-dimensional object via thermoforming. The customized object holder includes at least one datum point for providing registration information corresponding to one or more printable areas of the multi-dimensional object. The method may then include mounting the multi-dimensional object on the customized object holder, attaching the customized object holder to a moving sled of a print system, and controlling the movement of the moving sled relative to a plurality of print heads, and operating the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto the multi-dimensional object. The movement of the moving sled may be controlled by determining a position of at least one printable area on the multi-dimensional object, and using the determined position to control the movement of the moving sled relative to the plurality of print heads.