Abstract: An apparatus for hot drape forming a part includes a plurality of pyrometers, a bladder covering a formable material, and a pyrometer control medium positioned between the plurality of pyrometers and the formable material. The plurality of pyrometers are configured to measure a temperature of the pyrometer control medium.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring and quantifying optical distortion of a transparent object using a single image. Embodiments provided herein include a method including: receiving an image of an object and a transparent object, where the object is visible through the transparent object, where a portion of the image of the object is visible through the transparent object is an inside region of interest (iROI), where a portion of the image of the object not viewed through the transparent object is an outside region of interest (oROI); determining measured pixel locations for a plurality of identified pixels in the image, the plurality of identified pixels corresponding to the distinct points in the image; calculating virtual locations in the image representing the distinct points within the iROI; determining, for respective distinct points within the iROI, differences between the virtual location and the measured pixel location.

Abstract: Methods and systems, and components made according to the methods and systems, are disclosed relating to improved methods for fabricating resin-containing composite prepreg materials, wherein the prepreg plies are treated with a particulate material to achieve predetermined spatially variable shear and tack values at a predetermined location on at least one prepreg ply surface of at least one prepreg ply.

Abstract: An apparatus for hot drape forming a part includes a plurality of pyrometers, a bladder covering a formable material, and a pyrometer control medium positioned between the plurality of pyrometers and the formable material. The plurality of pyrometers are configured to measure a temperature of the pyrometer control medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for hot drape forming a part includes a plurality of pyrometers, a bladder covering a formable material, and a pyrometer control medium positioned between the plurality of pyrometers and the formable material. The plurality of pyrometers are configured to measure a temperature of the pyrometer control medium.

Abstract: A method for drape forming a laminated composite charge, the method including placing the laminated composite charge on a forming tool and redirecting forming forces applied to the laminated composite charge during drape forming to counteract wrinkle forming movement between plies of the laminated composite charge.

Abstract: A composite structure includes a base structure, a core disposed on the base structure, the core having a non-uniform contour relative to the base structure, a layered cover material disposed on the base structure covering the core, the layered cover material conforming to the non-uniform contour of the core and having at least one overlay ply, each of the at least one overlay ply having at least one slit cut through fibers of the respective overlay ply, and at least one cover ply having a shape that spans the at least one slit, and being configured to transfer a load across the at least one slit.

Abstract: An apparatus for hot drape forming a part includes a plurality of pyrometers, a bladder covering a formable material, and a pyrometer control medium positioned between the plurality of pyrometers and the formable material. The plurality of pyrometers are configured to measure a temperature of the pyrometer control medium.

Abstract: A method for drape forming a laminated composite charge, the method including placing the laminated composite charge on a forming tool and redirecting forming forces applied to the laminated composite charge during drape forming to counteract wrinkle forming movement between plies of the laminated composite charge.

Abstract: A composite structure includes a base structure, a core disposed on the base structure, the core having a non-uniform contour relative to the base structure, a layered cover material disposed on the base structure covering the core, the layered cover material conforming to the non-uniform contour of the core and having at least one overlay ply, each of the at least one overlay ply having at least one slit cut through fibers of the respective overlay ply, and at least one cover ply having a shape that spans the at least one slit, and being configured to transfer a load across the at least one slit.

Abstract: Methods and systems, and components made according to the methods and systems, are disclosed relating to improved methods for fabricating resin-containing composite prepreg materials, wherein the prepreg plies are treated with a particulate material to achieve predetermined spatially variable shear and tack values at a predetermined location on at least one prepreg ply surface of at least one prepreg ply.