Abstract: A tooling set for stamp forming a workpiece includes a first stamping tool, a second stamping tool and an elastomeric layer between the first and second stamping tools. The first stamping tool defines a first forming face. The second stamping tool defines a second forming face. The elastomeric layer defines first and second compliant stamping surfaces. A method for stamp forming a workpiece includes positioning a workpiece between the first stamping tool and the elastomeric layer and compressing the workpiece between the first forming face and the first compliant stamping surface in response to the first and second stamping tools being approximated. A system for stamp forming a workpiece includes the tooling set.

Abstract: A compliant stamping tool for stamp forming a workpiece includes a support structure, a fluid and a deformable membrane. The support structure includes a support wall spaced from a stamping axis. The support wall defines a chamber with an opening. The fluid is disposed within the chamber. The deformable membrane is secured to the support wall, covers the opening and seals the fluid within the chamber. The deformable membrane defines a compliant stamping surface configured to oppose different non-compliant stamping surfaces of opposing stamping tools. A system for stamp forming a workpiece includes a first stamping tool and the compliant stamping tool. The first stamping tool defines a first non-compliant stamping surface extending from the stamping axis. A method for stamp forming a workpiece is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a braided preform with a desired shape. The apparatus comprises a layup mandrel having a central portion interconnecting opposite end portions. The apparatus also comprises a braidable wheel disposed at one end portion of the layup mandrel and arranged to receive braiding material for a braided layer to be formed on the layup mandrel. The apparatus further comprises a pressure-application device disposed at the other end portion of the layup mandrel and arranged to apply mechanical pressure to the braided layer on the layup mandrel to thereby form the braided preform.

Abstract: A stamp-forming system includes a lower die formed of elastomeric material and having lower die lateral sides. In addition, the stamp-forming system includes a die wall configured to encircle the lower die lateral sides, and move vertically relative to the lower die. Also included in the stamp-forming system is an upper die configured to move between an open position in which the upper die is separated from the die wall and the lower die, and a clamped position in which the upper die is in contact with the die wall and applying clamping pressure to a blank against the lower die, to thereby form the blank into a formed article. The die wall is sized and configured to prevent lateral expansion of the lower die when the lower die is vertically compressed by the clamping pressure applied by the upper die.

Abstract: Tooling for stamp forming a workpiece includes a first tool, a second tool, and an elastic boundary. The second tool includes an elastomeric member. The first tool has a thickness along a stamping axis and defines a first stamping surface extending from the stamping axis. The elastomeric member having a thickness along the stamping axis and defining a second stamping surface axially opposing the first stamping surface. The elastomeric member defines a periphery spaced from the stamping axis. The elastic boundary disposed proximate to at least a portion of the periphery of the elastomeric member.

Abstract: A system for joining a first thermoplastic component of a workpiece with a second thermoplastic component of the workpiece includes a first joining plate assembly comprising a housing, a heat plate, and a thermal insulator disposed between the housing and the heat plate, wherein the heat plate defines a heating surface; a second joining plate assembly opposed from the first joining plate assembly; and a clamping assembly engaged with both the first joining plate assembly and the second joining plate assembly.

Abstract: A stamp-forming system includes a lower die formed of elastomeric material and having lower die lateral sides. In addition, the stamp-forming system includes a die wall configured to encircle the lower die lateral sides, and move vertically relative to the lower die. Also included in the stamp-forming system is an upper die configured to move between an open position in which the upper die is separated from the die wall and the lower die, and a clamped position in which the upper die is in contact with the die wall and applying clamping pressure to a blank against the lower die, to thereby form the blank into a formed article. The die wall is sized and configured to prevent lateral expansion of the lower die when the lower die is vertically compressed by the clamping pressure applied by the upper die.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a part includes a mold having a contoured forming surface. The system also includes at least one tension strap, configured to attach to a consolidated laminate sheet, and a heating assembly, positioned relative to the mold and configured to supply heat to the consolidated laminate sheet, when attached to the at least one tension strap, to form a heated consolidated laminate sheet. The system additionally includes a strap retraction mechanism, configured to retract the at least one tension strap, when attached to the consolidated laminate sheet, to force the heated consolidated laminate sheet against the contoured forming surface of the mold. The heating assembly includes a flexible heating element configured to flex to conform to a shape of the heated consolidated laminate sheet as the heated consolidated laminate sheet is forced against the contoured forming surface of the mold.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a part that includes a mold, a first fixation component, fixed to the mold, second fixation components, each configured to be fixed to a consolidated laminate sheet, third fixation components, each fixed to the mold. The system also includes tension straps. The first fixation component is configured to attach the consolidated laminate sheet to the mold so that the consolidated laminate sheet does not translationally move relative to the forming surface of the mold. Each one of the second fixation components is configured to attach the tension straps to the consolidated laminate sheet. Each one of the third fixation components is configured to attach the tension straps to the mold so that the tension straps are movable relative to the mold. The system also includes a heating assembly and a strap retraction mechanism, configured to retract the tension strap.

Abstract: A method for joining a first thermoplastic substrate and a second thermoplastic substrate, each including a polyaryletherketone material having a first melting temperature. The method includes co-consolidating a first semicrystalline thermoplastic film with the first thermoplastic substrate to yield a first co-consolidated structure. The first semicrystalline thermoplastic film defines a first bonding surface of the first co-consolidated structure and includes a polyaryletherketone material having a second melting temperature that is less than the first melting temperature. The method further includes co-consolidating a second semicrystalline thermoplastic film with the second thermoplastic substrate to yield a second co-consolidated structure. The second semicrystalline thermoplastic film defines a second bonding surface of the second co-consolidated structure and includes a polyaryletherketone material having a third melting temperature that is less than the first melting temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for manufacturing a part. An example method comprises heating a consolidated laminate sheet, comprising multiple plies each made of fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin, to a heated temperature below a melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin to form a heated consolidated laminate sheet. The method also comprises forcing the heated consolidated laminate sheet against a contoured forming surface of a mold until a shape of the heated consolidated laminate sheet corresponds with a contoured shape of the contoured forming surface of the mold.

Abstract: Provided are induction heating cells including pressure bladders used for supporting dies and methods of using these induction heating cells. A pressure bladder may be disposed between a die and a bolster of the cell. Even when the bolster is deformed during operation of the cell, the pressure bladder continues to provide uniform support to the die thereby preserving integrity of the die and prevents its cracking or braking. As such, the cell may be operated at a higher processing pressure inside the cavity formed by the die without further strengthening the bolster. The bolster is allowed to deform without compromising the integrity of the die. The deformation of the bolster is compensated by the shape change of the pressure bladder. The number and/or position of the bladders in the cell may depend on the shape of processed parts.

Abstract: Provided are induction heating cells including pressure bladders used for supporting dies and methods of using these induction heating cells. A pressure bladder may be disposed between a die and a bolster of the cell. Even when the bolster is deformed during operation of the cell, the pressure bladder continues to provide uniform support to the die thereby preserving integrity of the die and prevents its cracking or braking. As such, the cell may be operated at a higher processing pressure inside the cavity formed by the die without further strengthening the bolster. The bolster is allowed to deform without compromising the integrity of the die. The deformation of the bolster is compensated by the shape change of the pressure bladder. The number and/or position of the bladders in the cell may depend on the shape of processed parts.

Abstract: Provided are induction heating cells including pressure bladders used for supporting dies and methods of using these induction heating cells. A pressure bladder may be disposed between a die and a bolster of the cell. Even when the bolster is deformed during operation of the cell, the pressure bladder continues to provide uniform support to the die thereby preserving integrity of the die and prevents its cracking or braking. As such, the cell may be operated at a higher processing pressure inside the cavity formed by the die without further strengthening the bolster. The bolster is allowed to deform without compromising the integrity of the die. The deformation of the bolster is compensated by the shape change of the pressure bladder. The number and/or position of the bladders in the cell may depend on the shape of processed parts.

Abstract: Provided are induction heating cells including pressure bladders used for supporting dies and methods of using these induction heating cells. A pressure bladder may be disposed between a die and a bolster of the cell. Even when the bolster is deformed during operation of the cell, the pressure bladder continues to provide uniform support to the die thereby preserving integrity of the die and prevents its cracking or braking. As such, the cell may be operated at a higher processing pressure inside the cavity formed by the die without further strengthening the bolster. The bolster is allowed to deform without compromising the integrity of the die. The deformation of the bolster is compensated by the shape change of the pressure bladder. The number and/or position of the bladders in the cell may depend on the shape of processed parts.