Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a radius filler. A lattice is formed of connecting elongate members having a three-dimensional shape of the radius filler. A resin is placed within the lattice.

Abstract: A structure comprising a plurality of walls defining a bladder cavity, the bladder cavity comprises an initial cross section size. A first plurality of wave features provided along at least one of the plurality of walls defining the bladder cavity. In one arrangement, the first plurality of wave features allow the structure to expand from the initial cross section size to a second cross section size after the structure becomes inflated during a composite charge cure, the second cross section size larger than the initial cross sectional size.

Abstract: A system for providing user assistance receives a request for user assistance from a component on a user interface. The component includes a help identifier, and the request is generated by a type of user selection, such as the clicking of an icon. The system determines a level of user assistance based on the type of selection and retrieves user assistance content based on the help identifier and the determined level of user assistance. In one embodiment, the user interface includes three levels of user assistance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a radius filler. A lattice is formed of connecting elongate members having a three-dimensional shape of the radius filler. A resin is placed within the lattice.

Abstract: A vacuum port base comprises an upper face, a lower face, a first channel, and a second channel. The upper face is configured to interface with a vacuum port. The lower face is configured to interface with a surface of a tool. The first channel formed in the lower face is configured to receive an edge breather. The second channel formed within the vacuum port base is configured to receive the vacuum port such that the vacuum port is in fluid communication with the first channel and the edge breather to remove gases from a composite structure.

Abstract: A structure comprising a plurality of walls defining a bladder cavity, the bladder cavity comprises an initial cross section size. A first plurality of wave features provided along at least one of the plurality of walls defining the bladder cavity. In one arrangement, the first plurality of wave features allow the structure to expand from the initial cross section size to a second cross section size after the structure becomes inflated during a composite charge cure, the second cross section size larger than the initial cross sectional size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a radius filler. A lattice is formed of connecting elongate members having a three-dimensional shape of the radius filler. A resin is placed within the lattice.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing edge breathers for composite manufacturing. One exemplary embodiment is an apparatus that includes an edge breather to facilitate manufacturing of a composite part. The edge breather includes a body, ridges disposed along a length of the body that each define an arc which is perpendicular to a lengthwise axis of the body, and openings disposed along the body that enable air to enter a hollow interior that runs along the length of the body. The arcs defined by the ridges resist compressive loads applied to the edge breather and prevent the hollow interior from collapsing under pressure applied to the edge breather by a vacuum bag during manufacturing of the composite part.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing edge breathers for composite manufacturing. One exemplary embodiment is an apparatus that includes an edge breather to facilitate manufacturing of a composite part. The edge breather includes a body, ridges disposed along a length of the body that each define an arc which is perpendicular to a lengthwise axis of the body, and openings disposed along the body that enable air to enter a hollow interior that runs along the length of the body. The arcs defined by the ridges resist compressive loads applied to the edge breather and prevent the hollow interior from collapsing under pressure applied to the edge breather by a vacuum bag during manufacturing of the composite part.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing edge breathers for composite manufacturing. One exemplary embodiment is an apparatus that includes an edge breather to facilitate manufacturing of a composite part. The edge breather includes a body, ridges disposed along a length of the body that each define an arc which is perpendicular to a lengthwise axis of the body, and openings disposed along the body that enable air to enter a hollow interior that runs along the length of the body. The arcs defined by the ridges resist compressive loads applied to the edge breather and prevent the hollow interior from collapsing under pressure applied to the edge breather by a vacuum bag during manufacturing of the composite part.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a main body, a motor-driven fan unit, a printed circuit board for controlling the motor-driven fan unit and a housing encasing a portion of the printed circuit board. A heat sink of the printed circuit board extends through the housing from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing. The printed circuit board is disposed within the main body such that the heat sink is located in an air-flow path through the main body.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a composite filler. The method comprises applying a pressure to a first portion of a composite material blank with a pair of forming dies of a composite filler forming apparatus, the pair of forming dies having a pair of convex radii, each forming die of the pair of forming dies having a respective convex radius of the pair of convex radii. The method also repeats the applying step to a subsequent portion of the composite material blank to incrementally form the composite material blank into a desired cross-section along its length.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for curing composite products. One exemplary embodiment is an edge breather for composite manufacturing. The edge breather is formed of a rigid material and includes an elongated body having a top open structure with a cross section that defines an arch. The edge breather also includes hollow passageways within the elongated body that are underneath the top structure and travel along a length of the elongated body. The top open structure defines multiple openings forming an open mesh through which air may enter.

Abstract: A vacuum port base comprises an upper face, a lower face, a first channel, and a second channel. The upper face is configured to interface with a vacuum port. The lower face is configured to interface with a surface of a tool. The first channel formed in the lower face is configured to receive an edge breather. The second channel formed within the vacuum port base is configured to receive the vacuum port such that the vacuum port is in fluid communication with the first channel and the edge breather to remove gases from a composite structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing edge breathers for composite manufacturing. One exemplary embodiment is an apparatus that includes an edge breather to facilitate manufacturing of a composite part. The edge breather includes a body, ridges disposed along a length of the body that each define an arc which is perpendicular to a lengthwise axis of the body, and openings disposed along the body that enable air to enter a hollow interior that runs along the length of the body. The arcs defined by the ridges resist compressive loads applied to the edge breather and prevent the hollow interior from collapsing under pressure applied to the edge breather by a vacuum bag during manufacturing of the composite part.

Abstract: A gas containment apparatus for use with an end effector including at least one plasma head includes at least one enclosing structure coupled to the end effector. The enclosing structure is configured to capture a gas produced by the at least one plasma head. The gas containment apparatus also includes a duct coupled to the at least one enclosing structure and configured to channel the gas from within the enclosing structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for curing composite products. One exemplary embodiment is an edge breather for composite manufacturing. The edge breather is formed of a rigid material and includes an elongated body having a top open structure with a cross section that defines an arch. The edge breather also includes hollow passageways within the elongated body that are underneath the top structure and travel along a length of the elongated body. The top open structure defines multiple openings forming an open mesh through which air may enter.

Abstract: A gas containment apparatus for use with an end effector including at least one plasma head includes at least one enclosing structure coupled to the end effector. The enclosing structure is configured to capture a gas produced by the at least one plasma head. The gas containment apparatus also includes a duct coupled to the at least one enclosing structure and configured to channel the gas from within the enclosing structure.

Abstract: A structure comprising a plurality of walls defining a bladder cavity, the bladder cavity comprises an initial cross section size. A first plurality of wave features provided along at least one of the plurality of walls defining the bladder cavity. In one arrangement, the first plurality of wave features allow the structure to expand from the initial cross section size to a second cross section size after the structure becomes inflated during a composite charge cure, the second cross section size larger than the initial cross sectional size.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a composite filler. The method comprises applying a pressure to a first portion of a composite material blank with a pair of forming dies of a composite filler forming apparatus, the pair of forming dies having a pair of convex radii, each forming die of the pair of forming dies having a respective convex radius of the pair of convex radii. The method also repeats the applying step to a subsequent portion of the composite material blank to incrementally form the composite material blank into a desired cross-section along its length.