Square symmetric composite laminate structures, and sub-modules thereof, are provided, along with methods of forming the same. The square symmetric laminate structures include two or more sub-laminate modules, each comprising: a first ply set consisting of a first ply layer oriented at a first angle and a second ply layer oriented at a second angle, a first sum of the first and second angles being ninety degrees; and a second ply set consisting of a third ply layer oriented at a third angle and a fourth ply layer oriented at a fourth angle, a second sum of the third and fourth angles being ninety degrees; wherein the second ply layer is positioned adjacent the third ply layer and the second and third ply layers are both positioned intermediate the first and fourth ply layers, thereby defining a double-double helix arrangement of the respective ply layers. Associated methods are also provided.

Disclosed are an adhesive layer forming apparatus and a display device manufacturing system including the same. The adhesive layer forming apparatus includes a first support chuck configured to move a first panel along a panel movement path in a first direction, a second support chuck provided side by side with the first support chuck in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and configured to move a second panel along a panel movement path, and a first gantry configured to move a first head, which faces the first support chuck and the second support chuck, in the second direction on the first support chuck and the second support chuck and forms an adhesive layer on any one of the first panel and the second panel by jetting.

An apparatus to automatically place layers of a printed circuit board on a fixture includes a robotic device having a base that is secured to a surface, an upright column that extends upwardly from the base, and a movable arm rotatably coupled to the upright column. The movable arm is configured to rotate about a vertical axis defined by the upright column. The movable arm is further configured to rotate from a position in which the movable arm is disposed over a laminate sheet fixture and to pick up a laminate sheet to a position in which the movable arm is disposed over a board layup fixture to deposit the laminate sheet in the board layup fixture, and from a position in which the movable arm is disposed over a bond film fixture and to pick up a bond film to a position in which the movable arm is disposed over the board layup fixture to deposit the bond film in the board layup fixture.

An end of arm tool (EOAT) for use during manufacture of parts using one or more pre-impregnated composite plies is disclosed. In an embodiment, the EOAT includes a mechanical gripper arrangement with first and second fingers configured to supply a compressive force to grip a pre-impregnated composite ply therebetween. At least one of the first and second fingers include a roller member to engage opposite surfaces of the pre-preg ply and supply a compressive gripping force. The roller member on either or both the first and second fingers preferably include a torque regulator to selectively adjust an associated roller member's resistance to rotation via supply of a rotational torque resistance.

A film-embossing apparatus with a hot-embossing device which has a heated embossing stamp. With the formation of a contact pressure, a transfer layer, arranged on a carrier film, of a hot-embossing film is transferred to a surface of a workpiece. The hot-embossing device has control inputs and outputs. The film-embossing apparatus has an industrial robot with control inputs and outputs. The control inputs and outputs of the hot-embossing device and of the industrial robot are connected to a control unit. The industrial robot is formed such that it guides the workpiece to the hot-embossing device, positions the workpiece on the embossing stamp, guides the workpiece past the embossing stamp, and guides the embossed workpiece away from the hot-embossing device. The industrial robot can also position the hot-embossing device on the workpiece.

Disclosed is a method for producing components from fiber-reinforced thermoplastic. The method involves manufacturing a multitude of semifinished products, each of which includes a plurality of impregnated fabric layers that are joined to one another only locally, as well as a frame structure having at least one cutout. The semifinished products are consolidated using a consolidation device, an inlay element being placed in each cutout before the semifinished products are consolidated.

The invention relates to a process for the production of multilayer composites and to a production plant (12, 60) for this purpose. The multilayer composites comprise at least one substrate web (64, 66), at least one bonding layer, and at least one polyurethane layer which has capillaries which extend through the entire thickness of the at least one polyurethane layer. First, at least one polyurethane layer is produced in a matrix (15), with passage through at least one coating unit (26, 30) and through a plurality of heating units (24, 28, 32). The matrices (15) thus treated are then introduced (76) into an input point (74) of a transfer section (60) for substrate web (64, 66). A structured side (78) of the matrix (15) is applied onto the substrate web (64, 66) passing continuously through the transfer section (60). Treatment of a composite made of the matrix (15) and of the substrate web (64, 66) takes place in a heatable press device (82) with transfer of the at least one polyurethane layer from the matrix to the upper side of the substrate web (64, 66). Finally, the matrix (15) is removed from the substrate web (64, 66), and transferred to a treatment section (12), and the substrate web (64, 66) is wound up at a wind-up unit (100) after removal of the matrix.

An apparatus for separating a wafer from a carrier includes a platform having an upper surface, a tape feeding unit, a first robot arm, and a controller coupled to the platform. The controller is configured to mount a wafer frame, by using the tape feeding unit, on a wafer of a wafer assembly on the upper surface of the platform. The wafer assembly includes the wafer, a carrier, and a layer of wax between the wafer and the carrier. The controller is also configured to heat the upper surface of the platform to a predetermined temperature and separate, by the first robot arm, the wafer and the wafer frame mounted thereon from the carrier.

A method for producing a Fiber Metal Laminate component of an airplane, using a manipulator system with an end effector and a control, wherein at least one metal layer and at least one unhardened fiber layer are being stacked onto each other in a mould in a stacking sequence, wherein each stacking cycle comprises picking up a metal layer or a fiber layer from a supply stack according to the stacking sequence, transporting the layer to the mould, placement of the layer at a deposition surface in the mould and depositing the so placed layer onto the deposition surface. After being picked up from the supply stack and before being deposited onto the deposition surface the layer to be stacked can be deformed by the end effector as to adapt the form of the layer to the form of the deposition surface.

The present invention provides a system for the manufacture of membrane electrode assemblies, comprising: a first carriage traversable along a first track, the first carriage having a support platform; a second carriage traversable along a second track, the second carriage having a support platform; sheet supplying means for supplying sheets comprising a gas diffusion layer onto the support platforms of the carriages; and supply means for supplying a continuous web comprising an ion-conducting membrane between at least a portion of the first and second tracks, wherein the system is arranged to align the first and second carriages either side of the continuous web with the support platforms of the first and second carriages facing the continuous web, whereby the system is suitable for adhering sheets carried thereby to opposite sides of the continuous web in an aligned configuration.