Abstract: Computer-based systems and method for managing and tracking controlled material movements receive significant movement information items at a controlled material movement control server and allow a plurality of users to readily access all or portions of the information items. The systems and methods apply predetermined rules to the movement information items to flag features of interest and facilitate the employment of limited real-world time and resources.

Abstract: A cutting system includes a cutting assembly and an anvil. The cutting assembly includes an ultrasonic cutting tool having a stylus with a tip and an actuator to move the tip along a path. The path is oriented in a transverse manner relative to movement of a backed ply material. The anvil includes a rigid base for securing the anvil to the cutting assembly and a surface coinciding with the path. The system is configured to drive the tip into the surface and draw the tip along the path to generate a groove disposed upon the surface. The groove being in cooperative alignment with the tip.

Abstract: To cut a backed ply material with an ultrasonic blade, an anvil is utilized to provide support. The backed ply material travels in a first direction, the ultrasonic blade includes a tip, and the ultrasonic blade is operable to travel along a path. This path is oriented in a transverse manner relative to the first direction. The anvil includes a rigid base for securing the anvil to a cutting assembly and a surface coinciding with the path. The surface is secured to the base. The anvil further includes a groove disposed upon the surface. This groove is in cooperative alignment with the tip.

Abstract: A cutting system includes a cutting assembly and an anvil. The cutting assembly includes an ultrasonic cutting tool having a stylus with a tip and an actuator to move the tip along a path. The path is oriented in a transverse manner relative to movement of a backed ply material. The anvil includes a rigid base for securing the anvil to the cutting assembly and a surface coinciding with the path. The system is configured to drive the tip into the surface and draw the tip along the path to generate a groove disposed upon the surface. The groove being in cooperative alignment with the tip.

Abstract: A layered material may include a ply material and a backing film disposed upon the ply material. The backing film may comprise a polyester film.

Abstract: A layered material includes a ply material and a backing film to support the ply material. The backing film includes a polyester film. The layered material is generated by disposing the backing film upon the ply material. A composite layup is generated by tacking the layered material to a tool, disposing the layered material upon the tool along a path, and removing the backing film.

Abstract: To generate a bevel in an uncured composite layup, an edge of part cut through the composite layup is performed at about 90° relative to the composite layup and a bevel cut is performed on the edge of part.

Abstract: To generate a bevel in an uncured composite layup, an edge of part cut through the composite layup is performed at about 90° relative to the composite layup and a bevel cut is performed on the edge of part.

Abstract: To generate a bevel in an uncured composite layup, an edge of part cut through the composite layup is performed at about 90° relative to the composite layup and a bevel cut is performed on the edge of part.

Abstract: To generate a bevel in an uncured composite layup, an edge of part cut through the composite layup is performed at about 90° relative to the composite layup and a bevel cut is performed on the edge of part.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for forming a composite structural member from a charge are provided. The charge can be disposed on a first die of the apparatus and formed to a desired configuration defined by a recess of the die by inserting a second die or a tool into the recess. In some cases, the first die can include two portions that are adjustable in a transverse direction so that the recess can be opened by the insertion of the second die or tool. The second die or tool can be a substantially rigid member or an inflatable bladder. In either case, the charge can be disposed on the first die, formed, and then further processed on the first die, thereby facilitating indexing of the charge for each operation.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for forming a composite structural member from a charge are provided. The charge can be disposed on a first die of the apparatus and formed to a desired configuration defined by a recess of the die by inserting a second die or a tool into the recess. In some cases, the first die can include two portions that are adjustable in a transverse direction so that the recess can be opened by the insertion of the second die or tool. The second die or tool can be a substantially rigid member or an inflatable bladder. In either case, the charge can be disposed on the first die, formed, and then further processed on the first die, thereby facilitating indexing of the charge for each operation.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for forming a composite structural member from a charge are provided. The charge can be disposed on a first die of the apparatus and formed to a desired configuration defined by a recess of the die by inserting a second die or a tool into the recess. In some cases, the first die can include two portions that are adjustable in a transverse direction so that the recess can be opened by the insertion of the second die or tool. The second die or tool can be a substantially rigid member or an inflatable bladder. In either case, the charge can be disposed on the first die, formed, and then further processed on the first die, thereby facilitating indexing of the charge for each operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a plurality of stringers to a mandrel during lay-up is provided, the plurality of stringers and mandrel forming a lay-up surface. The apparatus includes a vacuum source and a first vacuum attachment assembly in communication with said vacuum source to tightly secure the first vacuum attachment assembly down against the lay-up surface. A second vacuum attachment assembly is provided in communication with the vacuum source to force it tightly down against the lay-up. A flexible spacer is in rigid communication with the second vacuum attachment assembly and includes an extended end in communication with the first vacuum attachment assembly such that the flexible spacer presses one of the stringers against the mandrel.

Abstract: A cutting system includes a cutting assembly and an anvil. The cutting assembly includes an ultrasonic cutting tool having a stylus with a tip and an actuator to move the tip along a path. The path is oriented in a transverse manner relative to movement of a backed ply material. The anvil includes a rigid base for securing the anvil to the cutting assembly and a surface coinciding with the path. The system is configured to drive the tip into the surface and draw the tip along the path to generate a groove disposed upon the surface. The groove being in cooperative alignment with the tip.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an apparatus for securing a plurality of stringers to a mandrel during lay-up is provided, the plurality of stringers and mandrel forming a lay-up surface. The apparatus includes a vacuum source and a first vacuum attachment assembly comprising a first vacuum cup assembly and a first flexible tube assembly in communication with said vacuum source to tightly secure down against the lay-up surface. A second vacuum attachment assembly comprises a second vacuum cup assembly and a second flexible tube assembly in communication with the vacuum source to force it tightly down against the lay-up. A flexible spacer is in rigid communication with the second vacuum cup assembly and includes an extended end in communication with the first vacuum cup assembly such that the flexible spacer presses one of the stringers against the mandrel.

Abstract: To generate a bevel in an uncured composite layup, an edge of part cut through the composite layup is performed at about 90° relative to the composite layup and a bevel cut is performed on the edge of part.

Abstract: A hybrid composite structure is formed from layers of gore strips (12), polymeric matrix composite (71) comprising a resin impregnated slit tape or tow, and a central honeycomb layer formed from a plurality of rectangular sections (72). The first two steps include forming a plurality of the gore strips and providing a mold, or lay-up mandrel (10). Thereafter, a first set of gore strips is applied to the lay-up mandrel to form a first gore strip layer. Subsequently, the composite material in form of resin impregnated slit tape or tow is applied to the first gore strip layer to form a first composite material layer. Next, a second set of gore strips is applied to the first layer of polymeric matrix composite, opposite the first gore strip layer, to form at least one other gore strip layer. This creates a first sandwich structure having gore strips as the first and last layers of the structure. Thereafter, the layer of honeycomb material is applied to the last layer of the first sandwich structure.

Abstract: An orifice plate holder for removeable insertion between juxtaposed flanges, the holder being formed of a plate body portion of rigid material having an opening therethrough, first and second elastomeric washer members having an outer diameter greater than the plate body portion opening and sealed to the opposed sides of the plate body portion, one of the washers being sealed only approximately one-half of its circumference so that the unsealed portion is resiliently deflectable away from the body portion, and an orifice plate insert of rigid material and of outer diameter less than that of the opening through the plate body portion, the orifice plate insert being insertable between the elastomeric washer members so that the assembly may be removeably positioned between adjacent flanges and tightened in position, the orifice plate insert being thereby easily replaceable as it wears or when it is desired to change to a different size orifice.