CUTTING WIRE FOR REMOVAL OF EXPANDED MATERIAL AFTER CURING OF A COMPOSITE PART

    公开(公告)号:US20220176644A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-06-09

    申请号:US17682487

    申请日:2022-02-28

    IPC分类号: B29C65/00 B29C45/72

    摘要: Composite fabrication system and associated methods. In one embodiment, a composite fabrication system comprises a molding tool that includes a forming surface at least partially disposed within a constrained space, and a foamable material that expands inside of the constrained space to form an expanded material that presses a layup of one or more composite layers against the molding tool. The composite fabrication system further comprises a curing device configured to cure the layup to form a composite part, and a cutting wire embedded in the constrained space that is heated and configured to cut the expanded material into pieces that are removable from the constrained space.

    Expandable tooling systems and methods

    公开(公告)号:US11046027B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-06-29

    申请号:US16053733

    申请日:2018-08-02

    摘要: Prior to curing a composite workpiece assembly, an expandable element can be inserted into a cavity of the workpiece assembly. The expandable element is configured to expand when a predetermined change is produced in an attribute of the element. The attribute can be a temperature of the element. The element is expanded by producing the predetermined change, and the workpiece assembly is cured while the expanded element is in the cavity, so that the expanded element applies positive pressure to inner surfaces of the cavity during curing. The expanded element can be removed from the cavity after curing. The expanded element can comprise a plurality of expandable pellets.

    Methods and apparatus to form venting pathways in pressure sensitive adhesives for laminate stacks

    公开(公告)号:US11007764B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-05-18

    申请号:US16659101

    申请日:2019-10-21

    摘要: Methods and apparatus to form venting pathways in pressure sensitive adhesives for laminate stacks are disclosed. An example method includes forming a laminate stack including a gas permeable nonwoven layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer has a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. The first surface contacts the gas permeable nonwoven layer. The method further includes processing the laminate stack by reducing a ductility of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer such that venting pathways are formed in the pressure sensitive adhesive layer in response to a mechanical strain applied to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer via a trapped gas. The venting pathways extend through a thickness of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer to enable the trapped gas to pass through the pressure sensitive adhesive layer from the second surface to the first surface.