Abstract: A hand assisted lamination apparatus (1) for use in making a laminated composite article, the apparatus (1) including:(a) a lay-up tool (31) for receiving plies of a composite laminating material;(b) a support table (34) for supporting the lay-up tool (31);(c) a vacuum/compressed air system for drawing a vacuum through the support table (34) and for feeding compressed air through the support table (34);(d) a laser projection system (72) for outlining the location of a ply of the composite laminating material to guide the human operator of the hand assisted lamination apparatus, the laser projection system being capable of projecting a laser beam (30) onto the lay-up tool (31) whereby the laser beam (30) traces the ply outline defined by a data set;(e) a forming/compaction bag system (35) for forming and compacting a ply of composite laminating material laid on the lay-up tool (31); and(f) an electronic control system (47) for controlling the vacuum/compressed air system, for controlling the laser projection s

Abstract: A system for aircraft landing light alignment which includes a target of photocells distributed in a cross-like manner with a single photo detector centered about the common point of the cross-like distribution. A signal processing circuit coupled to the output of the target includes electronic readout devices distributed in a cross-like manner for indicating which way the beams should be directed to provide correct light adjustment. The aircraft landing light alignment system includes signal processing of photo detector derived signals which measures only the outer fringes of the Gaussian beam distribution.

Abstract: A straight length of tape (100) is confined in a cavity having a thickness and width essentially the same as the thickness and width of the tape (100). The cavity is defined by upper and lower opposing sets of thin flexible strips (24). In each set, strips (24) are positioned with their faces abutting each other and their inner side edges confronting the inner side edges of the strips (24) in the other set to define the thickness of the cavity therebetween. A series of longitudinally spaced clamps (28) press the strips (24) against the tape (100) to exert on the tape (100) pressure of sufficient magnitude and uniformity to prevent buckling and wrinkling of the tape (100). With the tape confined, a series of longitudinally spaced drive units (50) bend the strips (24) and tape (100) into a desired planform configuration. The tape (100) is held confined in this planform configuration until the tape (100) stabilizes in its new configuration.

Abstract: A straight length of tape (100) is confined in a cavity having a thickness and width essentially the same as the thickness and width of the tape (100). The cavity is defined by upper and lower opposing sets of thin flexible strips (24). In each set, strips (24) are positioned with their faces abutting each other and their inner side edges confronting the inner side edges of the strips (24) in the other set to define the thickness of the cavity therebetween. A series of longitudinally spaced clamps (28) press the strips (24) against the tape (100) to exert on the tape (100) pressure of sufficient magnitude and uniformity of prevent buckling and wrinkling of the tape (100). With the tape confined, a series of longitudinally spaced drive units (50) bend the strips (24) and tape (100) into a desired planform configuration. The tape (100) is held confined in this planform configuration until the tape (100) stabilizes in its new configuration.

Abstract: In vacuum bagging and similar operations involving composite materials, it is necessary to provide both a release layer that directly contacts the composite material and will not adhere to such material, and passages for removing entrapped air. A problem with known release layers is that they are not sufficiently stretchable to provide uniform contact with complex or sharply bending surface configurations. The invention provides a breather/release material (6). Material (6) includes a flexible, stretchable foraminous fabric (10) that has a ribbed major surface (16). A foraminous coating (20) of silicone rubber release compound is formed on fabric (10) by a shrink drying process. Coating (20) conforms to the ribbed configuration of surface (16) and has holes (24) generally coinciding with holes (12) in fabric (10). Ribbed surface (16) may be bonded to an impervious layer (4) with an adhesive (8).

Abstract: A ply (100) of fiber reinforced composite material is laid onto a mandrel (30) having a vacuum ported upper surface with a generally U-shaped cross section. Ply (100) is laid onto the top web (32) of mandrel (30), with its side edges being laid in a cantilevered fashion. A flexible bag (20) is inflated into a stretched condition and lowered over mandrel (30). Bag (20) rolls over mandrel (30) to form play (100) down over mandrel (30). As bag (20) rolls over mandrel (30), it folds ply (100) along two contoured bend lines between the web (32) and flanges (34, 36) of mandrel (30) and simultaneously restrains ply (100) from folding along a straight line. Bag (20) engages a seal (38) carried by mandrel (30). A vacuum is applied through mandrel (30) to evacuate the area between bag (20) and mandrel (30) within seal (38), to compact ply ( 100). Each ply of composite material is formed and compacted before laying another ply.