Abstract: A rotating manifold includes an axle, a hub rotatable relative to the axle about an axis of rotation, and a compressed air line in fluid communication housed in the axle. The rotating manifold further includes a vacuum line in fluid communication with the hub. The rotating manifold further includes a plurality of conduits connected to the hub. Each conduit of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the vacuum line and houses a compressed air line arm in fluid communication with the compressed air line.

Abstract: A method for initiating separation of a first layer from a second layer of a multilayer composite structure having a free edge, the method includes steps of securing the multilayer composite structure to a work surface; and applying cyclic pressure to at least a portion of the free edge of the multilayer composite structure.

Abstract: A rotating manifold includes an axle, a hub rotatable relative to the axle about an axis of rotation, and a compressed air line in fluid communication housed in the axle. The rotating manifold further includes a vacuum line in fluid communication with the hub. The rotating manifold further includes a plurality of conduits connected to the hub. Each conduit of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the vacuum line and houses a compressed air line arm in fluid communication with the compressed air line.

Abstract: A bladder mandrel package, used to manufacture a composite structure, includes a mandrel and a wrap ply, surrounding the mandrel to form a wrapped mandrel. The bladder mandrel package also includes a first radius filler, coupled to the wrap ply at a first radius of the wrapped mandrel, and a second radius filler coupled to the wrap ply at a second radius of the wrapped mandrel. The mandrel, the wrap ply, the first radius filler, and the second radius filler are consolidated to from the bladder mandrel package.

Abstract: A method for configuring a shape of a tool from an initial shape to a reconfigured shape includes localized heating a portion of the tool to yield a heated portion of the tool and mechanically manipulating the heated portion of the tool to achieve the reconfigured shape.

Abstract: A ply transporting and compacting apparatus comprises a rigid frame, a top-layer sheet of flexible rubber material fastened to the frame, and a bottom-layer sheet of perforated flexible rubber material having openings. The apparatus also comprises a middle-layer sheet of flow media material disposed in a first plenum area that is defined between the top and bottom layer sheets. The apparatus further comprises a moving device coupled to the frame and arranged to lower the frame and sheets onto a composite ply at a trimming location to pick up the composite ply with a suction force when a vacuum is drawn in the first plenum area to create the suction force through the openings of the bottom-layer sheet.

Abstract: A ply transporting and compacting apparatus comprises a rigid frame, a top-layer sheet of flexible rubber material fastened to the frame, and a bottom-layer sheet of perforated flexible rubber material having openings. The apparatus also comprises a middle-layer sheet of flow media material disposed in a first plenum area that is defined between the top and bottom layer sheets. The apparatus further comprises a moving device coupled to the frame and arranged to lower the frame and sheets onto a composite ply at a trimming location to pick up the composite ply with a suction force when a vacuum is drawn in the first plenum area to create the suction force through the openings of the bottom-layer sheet.

Abstract: A ply transporting and compacting apparatus comprises a rigid frame, a top-layer sheet of flexible rubber material fastened to the frame, and a bottom-layer sheet of perforated flexible rubber material having openings. The apparatus also comprises a middle-layer sheet of flow media material disposed in a first plenum area that is defined between the top and bottom layer sheets. The apparatus further comprises a moving device coupled to the frame and arranged to lower the frame and sheets onto a composite ply at a trimming location to pick up the composite ply with a suction force when a vacuum is drawn in the first plenum area to create the suction force through the openings of the bottom-layer sheet.

Abstract: A bladder mandrel package, used to manufacture a composite structure, includes a mandrel and a wrap ply, surrounding the mandrel to form a wrapped mandrel. The bladder mandrel package also includes a first radius filler, coupled to the wrap ply at a first radius of the wrapped mandrel, and a second radius filler coupled to the wrap ply at a second radius of the wrapped mandrel. The mandrel, the wrap ply, the first radius filler, and the second radius filler are consolidated to from the bladder mandrel package.

Abstract: A bladder mandrel package, used to manufacture a composite structure, includes a mandrel and a wrap ply, surrounding the mandrel to form a wrapped mandrel. The bladder mandrel package also includes a first radius filler, coupled to the wrap ply at a first radius of the wrapped mandrel, and a second radius filler coupled to the wrap ply at a second radius of the wrapped mandrel. The mandrel, the wrap ply, the first radius filler, and the second radius filler are consolidated to from the bladder mandrel package.

Abstract: A bladder mandrel package, used to manufacture a composite structure, includes a mandrel and a wrap ply, surrounding the mandrel to form a wrapped mandrel. The bladder mandrel package also includes a first radius filler, coupled to the wrap ply at a first radius of the wrapped mandrel, and a second radius filler coupled to the wrap ply at a second radius of the wrapped mandrel. The mandrel, the wrap ply, the first radius filler, and the second radius filler are consolidated to from the bladder mandrel package.

Abstract: A ply transporting and compacting apparatus comprises a rigid frame, a top-layer sheet of flexible rubber material fastened to the frame, and a bottom-layer sheet of perforated flexible rubber material having openings. The apparatus also comprises a middle-layer sheet of flow media material disposed in a first plenum area that is defined between the top and bottom layer sheets. The apparatus further comprises a moving device coupled to the frame and arranged to lower the frame and sheets onto a composite ply at a trimming location to pick up the composite ply with a suction force when a vacuum is drawn in the first plenum area to create the suction force through the openings of the bottom-layer sheet.