método e aparelho para fabricar uma estrutura de compósitos termoplásticos reforçados com fibras

摘要

An apparatus for fabricating a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite structure is described. The apparatus comprises a localized heat source arranged to heat a portion of a stack of fiber reinforced thermoplastic material layers and an ultrasonic transducer arranged to locally introduce ultrasonic energy waves to the heated portion of the fiber reinforced thermoplastic material layers. The apparatus makes it possible to achieve ultrasonic consolidation of the layers occurs.