Abstract:
A method and apparatus for forming a sandwich structure is presented. A sandwich structure comprises a metallic core layer and a thermoplastic layer on a first side of the metallic core layer. The thermoplastic layer is consolidated against the first side of the metallic core layer.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for joining parts. A plurality of conformable induction coils embedded in a number of elastomeric sheets is positioned relative to a first composite part of the parts and a second composite part of the parts. A magnetic field is generated with the plurality of conformable induction coils. The magnetic field is configured to generate heat in a magnetically permeable material at a joint location. The heat joins the first composite part and the second composite part to each other.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is presented. A method may comprise positioning a metallic bladder within a tool, the tool having a number of die liners that generate heat when exposed to a magnetic field; applying the magnetic field to the number of die liners to heat the metallic bladder; and pressurizing the metallic bladder.
Abstract:
Manufacturing a thermoplastic composite tubular structure embedded with a first load fitting comprising the steps of braiding a first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material around a soluble, expandable mandrel. A first load fitting is positioned on the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material. A second plurality of outer layers of thermoplastic composite material is braided around the first load fitting and the mandrel so as to form an overbraided mandrel embedded with the first load fitting. The overbraided mandrel is installed into a matched tooling assembly and heated at a specified heating profile in order to consolidate the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material and the second plurality of outer layers of thermoplastic composite material with the first load fitting so as to form a thermoplastic composite tubular structure embedded with the first load fitting. A second load fitting may be positioned on the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for performing induction welding. A number of protective layers are positioned between a susceptor layer and at least one of a plurality of workpieces at a weld location. An undesired current path is prevented from forming at the weld location during induction heating of the plurality of workpieces by the number of protective layers.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is presented. A method may comprise positioning a metallic bladder within a tool, the tool having a number of die liners that generate heat when exposed to a magnetic field; applying the magnetic field to the number of die liners to heat the metallic bladder; and pressurizing the metallic bladder.