A method that includes winding a composite fabric around a mandrel to form a plurality of layers defining an annulus extending along a central longitudinal axis, where the composite fabric includes a plurality of elongate axial fibers extending substantially in an axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of elongate circumferential fibers extending substantially in a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis; and introducing, into at least a portion of the plurality of layers, a plurality of radial fibers extending substantially in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, where the plurality of radial fibers mechanically bind one or more adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.

A method that includes winding a composite fabric around a mandrel to form a plurality of layers defining an annulus extending along a central longitudinal axis, where the composite fabric includes a plurality of elongate axial fibers extending substantially in an axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of elongate circumferential fibers extending substantially in a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis; and introducing, into at least a portion of the plurality of layers, a plurality of radial fibers extending substantially in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, where the plurality of radial fibers mechanically bind one or more adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.

A composite friction unit of a three dimensional composite body is formed in a system for continuous process manufacturing of composite friction units. The system uses a plurality of rolls of reinforcing fiber fabrics, a resin dispensing system that receives a panel of reinforcing fiber fabric from each one of the rolls and separately dispenses resin through a plurality of dispensing tubes, each associated with a different panel, onto a surface of each panel. A forming die is positioned to receive the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabric after resin is dispensed onto the panels and is configured to form a composite panel from the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabrics. A cutting mechanism cuts a desired shape part from the composite panel.

A composite friction unit of a three dimensional composite body is formed in a system for continuous process manufacturing of composite friction units. The system uses a plurality of rolls of reinforcing fiber fabrics, a resin dispensing system that receives a panel of reinforcing fiber fabric from each one of the rolls and separately dispenses resin through a plurality of dispensing tubes, each associated with a different panel, onto a surface of each panel. A forming die is positioned to receive the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabric after resin is dispensed onto the panels and is configured to form a composite panel from the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabrics. A cutting mechanism cuts a desired shape part from the composite panel.

The disclosure describes a low density cloth preform, and apparatuses and methods for manufacturing the same. The low density cloth preform has a lower density than other preforms manufactured using prior apparatuses and methods, thereby rendering the low density cloth preform more amenable to the addition of matrix carbon thereto through the use of less expensive carbon sources and more rapid processes for adding matrix carbon. The apparatuses and methods for manufacturing the low density cloth preform comprise preform needling machines configured and preform needling processes operable to provide a more uniform and lesser needling depth with the result being a preform having a lower density. The preform needling machines utilize foam bases formed from resilient materials having appropriate rebound rates, arrangements of barbed needles in one or more groups and needling stages, and positioning of the barbed needles to minimize deflection of the foam bases and preform material.

The invention relates to a device and a method for the thermal treatment of friction linings by means of IR-radiation, characterized in that IR radiators or IR heating fields are used as a source of infrared radiation, said radiators or heating fields generating IR-radiation in the wavelength range of 2260 nm to 3000 nm.

A composite friction unit of a three dimensional composite body is formed in a system for continuous process manufacturing of composite friction units. The system uses a plurality of rolls of reinforcing fiber fabrics, a resin dispensing system that receives a panel of reinforcing fiber fabric from each one of the rolls and separately dispenses resin through a plurality of dispensing tubes, each associated with a different panel, onto a surface of each panel. A forming die is positioned to receive the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabric after resin is dispensed onto the panels and is configured to form a composite panel from the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabrics. A cutting mechanism cuts a desired shape part from the composite panel.

The invention relates to a device and a method for the thermal treatment of friction linings by means of IR-radiation, characterized in that IR radiators or IR heating fields are used as a source of infrared radiation, said radiators or heating fields generating IR-radiation in the wavelength range of 2260 nm to 3000 nm.

A resin molded article includes a collar member which is fitted to each of a first fixing part and a second fixing part by insert molding. The collar member is constituted of a rolled collar made of steel and includes a tubular body and an entrance path which guides injection of resin to inside of the tubular body during insert molding. The collar member of a same type is insert-molded to each of the first fixing part and the second fixing part. The first fixing part and the second fixing part respectively include a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole formed by resin injected to the inside of the tubular body via the entrance path.

A brake pad (1), in particular for electric or hybrid vehicles, including a support consisting of a backplate (2) and a friction material block (3) attached to the backplate; the backplate (2) consists of a substrate (12) made of a fiber reinforced SMC/BMC (Sheet/Bulk Molding Compound) and of a reinforcing metal core (14) completely embedded in the substrate (12) and extending crosswise thereof between first sides thereof (6,7) provided with guiding portions (10,11), which are mechanically connected to each other through the substrate (12) by the reinforcing metal core (14); the fiber reinforced SMC/BMC consisting of chopped long strand fibers chosen among carbon fibers, glass fibers, mixtures thereof dispersed in a pre-cured thermosetting polymer chosen in the group consisting of vinyl ester resins, phenolic based resins and epoxy resins added with a flame retardant. A co-molding method for forming the brake pad (1) is also disclosed.