Abstract: Methods and a double vacuum processing system are presented. A method of performing a double vacuum debulk and cure on a composite laminate is presented. A composite laminate is heated to begin a double vacuum debulk of the composite laminate while vacuum is pulled in a first vacuum zone containing the composite laminate and a second vacuum zone containing the first vacuum zone. Pressure within the second vacuum zone is increased to above atmospheric pressure. Heating the composite laminate is continued to complete a cure cycle for the composite laminate while the second vacuum zone is above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An induction curing system comprises a slip sheet and a power supply. The slip sheet comprises a layup surface configured to receive a composite material, a tool interface surface configured to interface with an upper surface of a tool, a rigid body extending between the layup surface and the tool interface surface, and an induction coil circuit within the rigid body of the slip sheet. The induction coil circuit is configured to heat the layup surface to a temperature sufficient to cure the composite material. The induction coil circuit has a diameter selected to generate heat using a power supply having a frequency below 150 kHz. The rigid body is configured to support the composite material during transport of the composite material. The power supply is coupled with the induction coil circuit, the power supply is selected based on the diameter of the induction coil circuit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented. The method locally compensates for cure related deformations in a composite skin by laying up a composite material on a compensation surface of a slip sheet designed to form a modified outer mold line different from a designed shape, wherein the slip sheet is held against a forming surface of a layup tool, wherein the forming surface is designed to form an outer mold line of the designed shape.

Abstract: A method and system are presented. The system comprises a plurality of baffles positioned to split an airflow from a door of an autoclave into a counter-rotating flow pattern.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented. The method locally compensates for cure related deformations in a composite skin by laying up a composite material on a compensation surface of a slip sheet designed to form a modified outer mold line different from a designed shape, wherein the slip sheet is held against a forming surface of a layup tool, wherein the forming surface is designed to form an outer mold line of the designed shape.

Abstract: A method and system are presented. The system comprises a plurality of baffles positioned to split an airflow from a door of an autoclave into a counter-rotating flow pattern.

Abstract: The thermal cycle time for curing a thermoset composite part in an autoclave is reduced by placing a heating blanket in proximity to an area of the composite part that is slow-to-heat, and inductively heating the area of the composite part that is slow-to-heat using the heating blanket.