Abstract: Continuous compression molding machines (CCMMs) and methods of continuous compression molding a consolidated thermoplastic matrix composite material are disclosed herein. The CCMMs include a mold, a heat zone heating structure, a consolidation zone heating structure, and a stress relaxation zone heating structure. The CCMMs also include a press structure, a demold structure, and a supply structure. The methods include providing a thermoplastic matrix composite material (TMCM) that includes a thermoplastic material to a CCMM. During the providing, the methods also include heating the TMCM within a heat zone of the CCMM, cooling and consolidating the TMCM within a consolidation zone of the CCMM, relaxing stress within the TMCM within a stress relaxation zone of the CCMM, demolding the TMCM within a demold zone of the CCMM at a mold temperature that is greater than a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material, and periodically compressing the TMCM.

Abstract: A composite skin is attached to an underlying structure by fasteners that are countersunk into the structure. The composite skin comprises a thermoplastic material that has been melted and formed into a countersink in the structure using a heated tool.

Abstract: Continuous compression molding machines (CCMMs) and methods of continuous compression molding a consolidated thermoplastic matrix composite material are disclosed herein. The CCMMs include a mold, a heat zone heating structure, a consolidation zone heating structure, and a stress relaxation zone heating structure. The CCMMs also include a press structure, a demold structure, and a supply structure. The methods include providing a thermoplastic matrix composite material (TMCM) that includes a thermoplastic material to a CCMM. During the providing, the methods also include heating the TMCM within a heat zone of the CCMM, cooling and consolidating the TMCM within a consolidation zone of the CCMM, relaxing stress within the TMCM within a stress relaxation zone of the CCMM, demolding the TMCM within a demold zone of the CCMM at a mold temperature that is greater than a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material, and periodically compressing the TMCM.

Abstract: Continuous compression molding machines (CCMMs) and methods of continuous compression molding a consolidated thermoplastic matrix composite material are disclosed herein. The CCMMs include a mold, a heat zone heating structure, a consolidation zone heating structure, and a stress relaxation zone heating structure. The CCMMs also include a press structure, a demold structure, and a supply structure. The methods include providing a thermoplastic matrix composite material (TMCM) that includes a thermoplastic material to a CCMM. During the providing, the methods also include heating the TMCM within a heat zone of the CCMM, cooling and consolidating the TMCM within a consolidation zone of the CCMM, relaxing stress within the TMCM within a stress relaxation zone of the CCMM, demolding the TMCM within a demold zone of the CCMM at a mold temperature that is greater than a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material, and periodically compressing the TMCM.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced polymer part is fabricated by rastering a deposition head over a substrate, and additively forming part features by extruding a polymer having an entrained continuous reinforcement from the deposition head onto a substrate.

Abstract: Thermoplastic composite parts are produced by automated fiber placement followed by stamp forming a layup having tailored fiber orientations. The tailored fiber orientations are achieved by tow steering and result in a layup that does not wrinkle during forming.

Abstract: Provided are composite feedstock strips for additive manufacturing and methods of forming such strips. A strip may include continuous fibers extending parallel to the principal axis of the strip. The cross-sectional distribution of these continuous fibers may be uneven. Specifically, the fibers may be concentrated near the center of the strip and may be positioned away from at least some portions of the strip surface. A strip may be formed by laminating a layup of one or more fiber-containing plies and one or more of resin plies. The position of the different types of plies in the layup is used to control distribution of the fibers and other materials within the strip. The laminated sheet is slit into multiple strips in a direction parallel to the continuous fibers. The cross-sectional profile of the slit strips may be later changed without disturbing orientation of the continuous fibers.

Abstract: A composite part is fabricated by rastering a deposition head over a substrate, and additively forming part features by extruding a polymer having an entrained continuous nanotube reinforcement from the deposition head onto a substrate.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced polymer part is fabricated by rastering a deposition head over a substrate, and additively forming part features by extruding a polymer having an entrained continuous reinforcement from the deposition head onto a substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a stiffened thermoplastic panel is presented. The method may comprise placing a number of forming tools within a number of concave areas of a thermoplastic preform. The method may also place the thermoplastic preform with the number of forming tools within the number of concave areas on a thermoplastic lay-up to form a workpiece. The method may also position the workpiece within a tool. The tool may have a number of die liners configured to generate heat in response to a magnetic field. The method may also consolidate the workpiece to form the stiffened thermoplastic panel. Consolidating may comprise applying a magnetic field to the number of die liners to heat the workpiece to a consolidation temperature.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced polymer part is fabricated by rastering a deposition head over a substrate, and additively forming part features by extruding a polymer having an entrained continuous reinforcement from the deposition head onto a substrate.

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: Provided are composite feedstock strips for additive manufacturing and methods of forming such strips. A strip may include continuous fibers extending parallel to the principal axis of the strip. The cross-sectional distribution of these continuous fibers may be uneven. Specifically, the fibers may be concentrated near the center of the strip and may be positioned away from at least some portions of the strip surface. A strip may be formed by laminating a layup of one or more fiber-containing plies and one or more of resin plies. The position of the different types of plies in the layup is used to control distribution of the fibers and other materials within the strip. The laminated sheet is slit into multiple strips in a direction parallel to the continuous fibers. The cross-sectional profile of the slit strips may be later changed without disturbing orientation of the continuous fibers.

Abstract: A composite part is fabricated by rastering a deposition head over a substrate, and additively forming part features by extruding a polymer having an entrained continuous nanotube reinforcement from the deposition head onto a substrate.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced polymer part is fabricated by rastering a deposition head over a substrate, and additively forming part features by extruding a polymer having an entrained continuous reinforcement from the deposition head onto a substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a stiffened thermoplastic panel is presented. The method may comprise placing a number of forming tools within a number of concave areas of a thermoplastic preform. The method may also place the thermoplastic preform with the number of forming tools within the number of concave areas on a thermoplastic lay-up to form a workpiece. The method may also position the workpiece within a tool. The tool may have a number of die liners configured to generate heat in response to a magnetic field. The method may also consolidate the workpiece to form the stiffened thermoplastic panel. Consolidating may comprise applying a magnetic field to the number of die liners to heat the workpiece to a consolidation temperature.

Abstract: A tool for compression molding a composite laminate charge has a tool face for compressing the charge. A flexible tool feature on the tool face forms a shape in the charge and compensates for tool surfaces that may be out-of-tolerance.

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.