Abstract: Fiber laminations with a resin therein are advanced to substantial cure in situ while resin-impregnated fiber (in the form of individual tows, a band thereof, or a tape) is being placed on a workpiece on the mandrel by preheating the fiber in a temperature range of 100-700° F. for partially advancing the cure of the resin in the fiber, shaping the fiber to the desired shape, and laying up the partially advanced fiber on the workpiece on the mandrel while simultaneously nip-point heating the fiber in an area proximate to the point where the fiber is being placed on the workpiece. A plurality of parameters are monitored during this placement in order to control the nip-point heating so that the resin in the fiber is substantially cured while the fiber is being placed on the workpiece.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the manufacture of fiber reinforced structures wherein tooling and a delivery head are employed for the placement of discrete, elongated fiber elements in mutually superimposed relationship to define reinforcement or stiffening members on fiber elements for the interiors or exteriors of composite shells and the consolidation of the fibers to form the cured composite structure. A consolidation medium is provided for the positioning and control of the fiber elements on the hard tooling and during the curing of the fiber elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of fiber reinforced structures. The tooling and its use for the manufacture of reinforced structures is described and illustrated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the manufacture of fiber reinforced structures wherein tooling and a delivery head are employed for the placement of discrete, elongated fiber elements in mutually superimposed relationship to define reinforcement or stiffening members on fiber elements for the interiors or exteriors of composite shells and the consolidation of the fibers to form the cured composite structure. A consolidation medium is provided for the positioning and control of the fiber elements on the hard tooling and during the curing of the fiber elements. Method and apparatus for the manufacture of fiber reinforced structures.

Abstract: A tool for using in aligning, fastening, supporting, and sealing adjacent sections of a mandrel having a curved outer surface is provided. This tool has a T-shaped cross section and includes a leg section that has a composite sheet extending through the middle of it and a top section that is integral with said leg section. The top section has a pair of grooves therein spaced apart from each other along the length of the tool where O-ring means fits in the grooves and seals the adjacent section of the mandrel gas tight.

Abstract: A segmented mandrel is adapted for use in fabricating large diameter, light weight articles (such as aircraft component structures) made of thermosetting composite materials by placing fiber on the external surface of the mandrel followed by autoclave curing of the composite materials. The segmented mandrel is composed of a center shaft extending lengthwise through the mandrel, four mandrel segments mating together along a seam between their respective adjacent edges, T-stiffeners for fastening the mandrel segments together, and bulkheads rigidly mounted around the shaft and connected to the stiffeners. This segmented mandrel is reusable, is easily assembled and disassembled, and has a system that creates a vacuum seal between mandrel sections while at the same time retains the functions of support and alignment of the mandrel segments carrying the parts being cured.