Abstract: A coating system operations vehicle. Related methods are provided for filling a tank and operating coating equipment on a vehicle. The methods include pumping coating from containers into a tank on the vehicle and dispensing the coating for application on a surface. A method also includes removing residual coating from the containers after pumping out coating and adding the residual coating material to the tank. If the level of coating is at the desired level in the tank, a layer of water may be formed over the coating in the tank.

Abstract: A system and method of forming a composite structure includes heating an outer mold line surface of a tool to a processing temperature, positioning an inner mold line surface with a composite preform disposed thereon within the outer mold line surface, and extracting the inner mold line surface and the composite preform in a gelled state from the outer mold line surface.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a composite structure includes a tool having an outer mold line surface, a mandrel removably disposed within the tool and having an inner mold line surface, and a heating element connected to the tool. The heating element is configured to set a process temperature of the outer mold line surface when the mandrel is placed within the tool.

Abstract: A coating system operations vehicle. Related methods are provided for filling a tank and operating coating equipment on a vehicle. The methods include pumping coating from containers into a tank on the vehicle and dispensing the coating for application on a surface. A method also includes removing residual coating from the containers after pumping out coating and adding the residual coating material to the tank. If the level of coating is at the desired level in the tank, a layer of water may be formed over the coating in the tank.

Abstract: A system and method of forming a composite structure includes heating an outer mold line surface of a tool to a processing temperature, positioning an inner mold line surface with a composite preform disposed thereon within the outer mold line surface, and extracting the inner mold line surface and the composite preform in a gelled state from the outer mold line surface.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a composite structure includes a tool having an outer mold line surface, a mandrel removably disposed within the tool and having an inner mold line surface, and a heating element connected to the tool. The heating element is configured to set a process temperature of the outer mold line surface when the mandrel is placed within the tool.

Abstract: A coating system operations vehicle. Related methods are provided for filling a tank and operating coating equipment on a vehicle. The methods include pumping coating from containers into a tank on the vehicle and dispensing the coating for application on a surface. A method also includes removing residual coating from the containers after pumping out coating and adding the residual coating material to the tank. If the level of coating is at the desired level in the tank, a layer of water may be formed over the coating in the tank.

Abstract: A method for filling a tank with a coating material on a vehicle. The method includes providing containers of coating material to a location of the vehicle and inserting a draw tube into one of the containers. The method also includes pumping coating material using a draw pump and into the tank on the vehicle. The method also includes removing residual coating material from the containers and adding the residual coating material to the tank. If the coating material level is not at a desired level, the inserting, pumping, removing, and adding steps are repeated with another container of coating material. If the coating material level is at the desired level, a layer of water may be formed over coating material in the tank.

Abstract: A method for filling a tank with a coating material on a vehicle. The method includes providing containers of coating material to a location of the vehicle and inserting a draw tube into one of the containers. The method also includes pumping coating material using a draw pump and into the tank on the vehicle. The method also includes removing residual coating material from the containers and adding the residual coating material to the tank. If the coating material level is not at a desired level, the inserting, pumping, removing, and adding steps are repeated with another container of coating material. If the coating material level is at the desired level, a layer of water may be formed over coating material in the tank.

Abstract: Pneumatic edge-clamp systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a clamping apparatus for applying a clamping force to a workpiece includes a beam member having a cavity disposed therein, and an inflatable member disposed within the cavity. The inflatable member is coupleable to a pressurization source. A clamping member is pivotably coupled to the beam member. The clamping member includes a first portion projecting at least partially over the cavity, and a second portion projecting laterally outwardly from the beam member over the workpiece. In operation, inflating the inflatable member applies a driving force to the first portion, rotating the clamping member, and applying a clamping force to the workpiece using the second portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for friction stir welding is described that includes a stationary assembly having a bore therethrough, the bore having an inner diameter, and a rotational assembly having a welding end. At least the welding end of the rotational assembly extends through the bore. A portion of the rotational assembly is adjacent the inner diameter of the bore. At least one of the adjacent portion of the rotational assembly and the inner diameter of the stationary assembly are configured such that rotation of the rotational assembly will cause plasticized material from a welding process that has entered an area between the adjacent portion and the inner diameter to move towards a welding zone located proximate the welding end.