Abstract: A fiber placement system including a fiber placement station at a first location, the fiber placement station including a tool and a fiber placement assembly configured to construct a reinforcement layup on the tool, the first fiber placement assembly including a compaction roller rotatable about an axis of rotation, the compaction roller at least partially defining a nip, a thermoplastic composite ply extending through the nip and a heating unit positioned to heat the thermoplastic composite ply proximate the nip, and a consolidation station at a consolidation location, the consolidation location being different from the first location, the consolidation station including a consolidation tool and a consolidation system configured to consolidate a reinforcement layup assembly that includes the reinforcement layup.

Abstract: A fiber placement system including a compaction roller rotatable about an axis of rotation, the compaction roller including a reflective layer that includes a reflective material dispersed in a polymeric material, and a light source positioned to project a beam of electromagnetic radiation proximate the compaction roller, the beam having a wavelength, wherein the reflective material has a reflectance of at least 80 percent at the wavelength.

Abstract: A fiber placement system including a compaction roller rotatable about an axis of rotation, the compaction roller at least partially defining a compaction nip region, and a laser heating assembly including a laser that emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation and a scan head defining a scan field, the scan field being aligned with the compaction nip region, wherein the scan head scans the beam within the scan field.

Abstract: A portable device to drill holes has a platform. A plurality of wheel sets is coupled to the platform. A drive system is used for driving the plurality of wheels. An attachment mechanism is positioned on an underside of the platform for securing the device to a surface. A control board is used for controlling the operation of the device. A drill spindle assembly is coupled to the platform. A drill feed assembly is coupled to the drill spindle assembly for raising and lowering the drill spindle assembly. A plurality of sensors are operable to sense one or more magnets disposed below the surface. A drive table is used for positioning the drill spindle assembly in an XY plane based on an output of said plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A portable device to drill holes has a platform. A plurality of wheel sets is coupled to the platform. A drive system is used for driving the plurality of wheels. An attachment mechanism is positioned on an underside of the platform for securing the device to a surface. A control board is used for controlling the operation of the device. A drill spindle assembly is coupled to the platform. A drill feed assembly is coupled to the drill spindle assembly for raising and lowering the drill spindle assembly. A plurality of sensors are operable to sense one or more magnets disposed below the surface. A drive table is used for positioning the drill spindle assembly in an XY plane based on an output of said plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A method of forming a molybdenum composite hybrid laminate is disclosed. The method includes treating a surface of each of a plurality of molybdenum foil layers. The method further includes interweaving the surface treated molybdenum foil layers with a plurality of composite material layers. The method further includes bonding with an adhesive layer each of the surface treated molybdenum foil layers to adjacent composite material layers to form a molybdenum composite hybrid laminate having improved yield strength.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a molybdenum composite hybrid laminate. The laminate has a plurality of composite material layers. The laminate further has a plurality of surface treated molybdenum foil layers interweaved between the composite material layers. The laminate further has a plurality of adhesive layers disposed between and bonding adjacent layers of the composite material layers and the molybdenum foil layers.

Abstract: A portable device to drill holes has a platform. A plurality of wheel sets is coupled to the platform. A drive system is used for driving the plurality of wheels. An attachment mechanism is positioned on an underside of the platform for securing the device to a surface. A control board is used for controlling the operation of the device. A drill spindle assembly is coupled to the platform. A drill feed assembly is coupled to the drill spindle assembly for raising and lowering the drill spindle assembly. A plurality of sensors are operable to sense one or more magnets disposed below the surface. A drive table is used for positioning the drill spindle assembly in an XY plane based on an output of said plurality of sensors.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a molybdenum composite hybrid laminate. The laminate has a plurality of composite material layers. The laminate further has a plurality of surface treated molybdenum foil layers interweaved between the composite material layers. The laminate further has a plurality of adhesive layers disposed between and bonding adjacent layers of the composite material layers and the molybdenum foil layers.

Abstract: A method for pricing a trade comprising providing a user input for entering trade data, providing a structure for receiving the trade data and then transmitting the structure to a pricing system. The structure, now populated with both the trade data and the pricing data, is received from the pricing system and the trade data and pricing information is displayed. Advantageously, the structure is encrypted prior to transmitting it to the pricing system and decrypted when received from the pricing system. The pricing system records the data and the pricing information, which may be automatically entered into a trading system if and when the user agrees.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for consolidating a composite workpiece are provided. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic field generator for inducing a current and thereby heating a susceptor in thermal communication with the workpiece. The workpiece is supported by one or more support tools, each of which transmits the electromagnetic field so that the support tools are not substantially heated by the electromagnetic field. Thus, the time and energy required for heating the workpiece are reduced relative to conventional consolidation techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a composite workpiece are provided. An electromagnetic field generator induces a current in a susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece in a die cavity. An elastomeric bladder in the cavity is inflated and urges the workpiece against a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece. Coolant fluid can also be circulated through the die cavity to cool the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can be heated, formed, and cooled quickly and without substantial heating of other components, thereby reducing the time and energy relative to conventional forming methods.

Abstract: Coating production systems and methods which include ultrasonic dispersion and active cooling. The system includes a mixing reservoir and an ultrasonic disperser for ultrasonically dispersing an additive with another coating component within the mixing reservoir. The system also includes a heat exchanger in communication with the mixing reservoir to receive a mixture of the additive and another coating component from the mixing reservoir. The mixture is cooled by thermal energy transfer from the mixture to the heat exchanger. The cooled mixture is returned to the mixing reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a composite workpiece are provided. An electromagnetic field generator induces a current in a susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece in a die cavity. An elastomeric bladder in the cavity is inflated and urges the workpiece against a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece. Coolant fluid can also be circulated through the die cavity to cool the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can be heated, formed, and cooled quickly and without substantial heating of other components, thereby reducing the time and energy relative to conventional forming methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for consolidating a composite workpiece are provided. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic field generator for inducing a current and thereby heating a susceptor in thermal communication with the workpiece. The workpiece is supported by one or more support tools, each of which transmits the electromagnetic field so that the support tools are not substantially heated by the electromagnetic field. Thus, the time and energy required for heating the workpiece are reduced relative to conventional consolidation techniques.