Abstract: An example system includes two objects each having a known dimension and positioned spaced apart by a known distance, and a fixture having an opening for receiving an imaging device and for holding the two objects in a field of view of the imaging device such that the field of view of the imaging device originates from a point normal to a surface of the base. The fixture holds the imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged and controls an amount of incident light on the imaging device. An example method of determining image scaling includes holding an imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged, and positioning the two objects in the field of view of the imaging device such that the field of view of the imaging device originates from a point normal to a line formed by the known distance.

Abstract: An example fixture includes a hollow elongate section having a first end and a second end, and the first end has an opening for receiving a lens portion of an imaging device and the second end is structurally configured to brace against a surface of an object being imaged. The hollow elongate section is configured to hold the lens portion of the imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged and to control an amount of incident light on the lens portion. Example methods of configuring an imaging device for capturing images of an object include holding, via a fixture, a lens portion of an imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged, controlling an amount of incident light on the lens portion of the imaging device, and holding a calibration object in a field of view of the imaging device.

Abstract: An example system includes two objects each having a known dimension and positioned spaced apart by a known distance, and a fixture having an opening for receiving an imaging device and for holding the two objects in a field of view of the imaging device such that the field of view of the imaging device originates from a point normal to a surface of the base. The fixture holds the imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged and controls an amount of incident light on the imaging device. An example method of determining image scaling includes holding an imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged, and positioning the two objects in the field of view of the imaging device such that the field of view of the imaging device originates from a point normal to a line formed by the known distance.

Abstract: An example fixture includes a hollow elongate section having a first end and a second end, and the first end has an opening for receiving a lens portion of an imaging device and the second end is structurally configured to brace against a surface of an object being imaged. The hollow elongate section is configured to hold the lens portion of the imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged and to control an amount of incident light on the lens portion. Example methods of configuring an imaging device for capturing images of an object include holding, via a fixture, a lens portion of an imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged, controlling an amount of incident light on the lens portion of the imaging device, and holding a calibration object in a field of view of the imaging device.

Abstract: A method of curing a composite layup may include applying an inner bag vacuum pressure to an inner bag chamber and an outer vacuum pressure to an outer vacuum chamber. The vacuum inner bag chamber may be formed by a vacuum bag covering a composite layup and sealed to a forming tool with an inner bag chamber seal. The inner bag vacuum pressure may be no less than the outer vacuum pressure. The temperature of the composite layup may be increased to an elevated temperature to initiate a temperature hold period. The method may additionally include venting the outer vacuum chamber to atmosphere to initiate an outer vacuum chamber venting period during the temperature hold period, and applying compaction pressure to the inner bag chamber seal during the outer vacuum chamber venting period. The outer vacuum pressure may be re-applied to the outer vacuum chamber to terminate the outer vacuum chamber venting period.

Abstract: A method of curing a composite layup may include applying an inner bag vacuum pressure to an inner bag chamber and an outer vacuum pressure to an outer vacuum chamber. The vacuum inner bag chamber may be formed by a vacuum bag covering a composite layup and sealed to a forming tool with an inner bag chamber seal. The inner bag vacuum pressure may be no less than the outer vacuum pressure. The temperature of the composite layup may be increased to an elevated temperature to initiate a temperature hold period. The method may additionally include venting the outer vacuum chamber to atmosphere to initiate an outer vacuum chamber venting period during the temperature hold period, and applying compaction pressure to the inner bag chamber seal during the outer vacuum chamber venting period. The outer vacuum pressure may be re-applied to the outer vacuum chamber to terminate the outer vacuum chamber venting period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling the thickness of composite laminates cured on closed angle tools. The invention utilizes a peel ply rather than a breather during the preparation for cure of laminate parts having a substantially uniform initial thickness. This method allows composite parts to be formed with greater uniformity and without the need for extra hardware. The composite part formed by the above method may find use in a wide variety of applications, including, for example, automotive and aerospace applications. Thus, for example, a composite part formed in accordance with the present invention is ideally suited for use as a shear tie in a commercial aircraft, which are used to secure the inner framework of the aircraft to the airplane skin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing multiple layer composite structures and structures containing components made of multiple layer composite structures, comprising dispensing layers of composite material, trimming each layer to its final shape as it is being dispensed, and positioning it properly with respect to prior layers in the part lay-up.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing multiple layer composite structures and structures containing components made of multiple layer composite structures, comprising dispensing layers of composite material, trimming each layer to its final shape as it is being dispensed, and positioning it properly with respect to prior layers in the part lay-up.

Abstract: Structural components are disclosed that are fabricated from unidirectional carbon fiber composite materials into compound contour profiles along a longitudinal axis thereof without wrinkling of composite material plies oriented in various directions relative to the longitudinal axis. Methods of stacking, sequencing, and applying the material plies to fabricate the components are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing multiple layer composite structures and structures containing components made of multiple layer composite structures, comprising dispensing layers of composite material, trimming each layer to its final shape as it is being dispensed, and positioning it properly with respect to prior layers in the part lay-up.

Abstract: Three simple tools are used to both preform and mold a composite layup into a J-beam. A first composite charge is preformed into a C-channel using a first tool, and a second composite charge is formed into a Z-channel using both the first tool and a second tool. The C-channel and Z-channel are laid up between the first and second tools, following which a perform composite cap and third tool are added to complete the layup and the tool assembly. The layup may be molded using vacuum bagging techniques and subsequently cured while held in the tool assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing multiple layer composite structures and structures containing components made of multiple layer composite structures, comprising dispensing layers of composite material, trimming each layer to its final shape as it is being dispensed, and positioning it properly with respect to prior layers in the part lay-up.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing composite components using an elastomeric caul are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of curing a prepreg on a mandrel includes providing an elastomeric caul over the prepreg; providing a vacuum bag over the prepreg and the caul, with the caul between the prepreg and a film of the vacuum bag; and stretching the elastomeric caul over the prepreg while drawing down the vacuum bag over the caul. The caul is stretched to fit snuggly over the prepreg to reduce fiber deformation and wrinkling during curing.

Abstract: Three simple tools are used to both preform and mold a composite layup into a J-beam. A first composite charge is preformed into a C-channel using a first tool, and a second composite charge is formed into a Z-channel using both the first tool and a second tool. The C-channel and Z-channel are laid up between the first and second tools, following which a perform composite cap and third tool are added to complete the layup and the tool assembly. The layup may be molded using vacuum bagging techniques and subsequently cured while held in the tool assembly.

Abstract: Structural components are disclosed that are fabricated from unidirectional carbon fiber composite materials into compound contour profiles along a longitudinal axis thereof without wrinkling of composite material plies oriented in various directions relative to the longitudinal axis. Methods of stacking, sequencing, and applying the material plies to fabricate the components are also disclosed.