Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for designing composite parts. One embodiment is a laminate shear forming machine configured to shape a composite charge. The laminate shear forming machine includes a layup mandrel including a surface for shaping the composite charge, forming members configured to press the composite charge against the surface of the layup mandrel to shape the composite charge, and pressure sensing strips configured to measure pressure between the forming members and the composite charge. The laminate shear forming machine also includes a forming controller coupled to the pressure sensing strips and configured to determine that at least one forming member is applying pressure to the composite charge outside a pressure range, and to direct the at least one forming member to adjust from a first position to a second position to apply pressure to the composite charge within the pressure range.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for designing composite parts. One embodiment is a laminate shear forming machine configured to shape a composite charge. The laminate shear forming machine includes a layup mandrel including a surface for shaping the composite charge, forming members configured to press the composite charge against the surface of the layup mandrel to shape the composite charge, and pressure sensing strips configured to measure pressure between the forming members and the composite charge. The laminate shear forming machine also includes a forming controller coupled to the pressure sensing strips and configured to determine that at least one forming member is applying pressure to the composite charge outside a pressure range, and to direct the at least one forming member to adjust from a first position to a second position to apply pressure to the composite charge within the pressure range.

Abstract: An electrical switch (10) comprises switch contacts (100, 104) having a closed condition and an open condition. The switch (10) comprises an actuator (40) movable in a first direction (110) in a first stroke to close the contacts (100, 104) and movable in the first direction in a second stroke to cause the contacts to open. A rotatable bar (70) is carried by the actuator (40). The switch (10) includes a mechanism (14, 94, 96) for rotating the bar (70) in response to movement of the actuator (40) in the first direction (110) in the first stroke, to locate the bar in a latching position to hold the contacts (100, 104) in the closed condition. The mechanism (14, 94, 96) also rotates the bar (70) in response to movement of the actuator (40) in the first direction (110) in the second stroke, to move the bar from the latching position and to cause the contacts (100, 104) to open.