Abstract: An automated lapping system is provided for lapping a work product using a robot. Because the robot can apply continuous consistent pressure that far exceeds the capabilities of a human operator, lapping and polishing evolutions take a fraction of the time taken by a human operator. The system includes a robot having one or more lapping end effectors and a control component that controls the robot to lap the work product. The control component includes a processor, a user interface coupled to the processor, a communication component that receives final work product dimensions, and a positioning component that detects a lapping zone on the work product and sends the detected lapping zone to the control component. The control component controls the robot based on the sent lapping zone and received work product dimensions.

Abstract: A method and system for attaching a canopy to a vehicle, such as an aircraft, is provided. The system includes first and second sections. The first section attaches to the second section with a portion of the canopy being secured between the attached first and second sections. The canopy is molded to conform with the secured first and second sections. In one embodiment, the canopy is molded to include one or more fastener receiving holes with or without bushings. In another embodiment, the first or second sections include one or more channels for receiving an inflatable bladder. The first or second sections are configured to be received by the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for vacuum assisted resin transfer molding a composite structure including fibers at least partially surrounded by resin using a mold including a tool having a surface shaped to correspond to the composite structure and an inflatable bladder for forcing the composite structure against the tool. A resin inlet is connected to a resin source for introducing resin into a mold cavity at least partially defined by the tool surface and the bladder and a vacuum port spaced from the resin inlet. The method includes the steps of opening the mold cavity, loading fibers into the open mold cavity, closing the loaded mold cavity, introducing resin through the resin inlet into the closed mold cavity loaded with fibers, and pulling a vacuum at the resin inlet and the vacuum port to draw excess resin from the structure prior to curing thereof.

Abstract: A method for forming complexly shaped composite laminate assemblies. A pair of dry fiber preforms are placed on a tool with a thin film adhesive layer therebetween. A vacuum bag encloses the preforms and the adhesive layer. The preforms are heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the adhesive to become viscous and to wet several plys of each of the preforms. The preforms are then allowed to cool slightly before resin is infused via a vacuum source through each of the preforms to thoroughly wet each of the preforms. The resulting joint formed at the bond line of the two preforms is stronger than what would be formed simply by adhering two otherwise completely formed preforms together because the dry fiber preforms, in connection with the heating of the preforms, allow wetting of several plys of each of the preforms at the joint area, rather than just the surface ply of each preform.

Abstract: An injection molded windshield is provided for a vehicle. The injection molded acrylic or polycarbonate windshield enables vehicle shape design flexibility while achieving lower aerodynamic drag. The injection molded windshields offer additional benefits for the crew by increasing visibility area with larger windshields while reducing aero noise. The vehicle includes a body and an injection molded window attached to the body. The injection molded windshield is shaped to conform to the fuselage. The injection molded windshield is formed of at least one of an injection molded acrylic or polycarbonate material. The injection molded windshield is impact and ballistic tolerant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for latching a canopy to a vehicle, such as an aircraft, that avoids plastic creep and crazing due to concentrated loads is provided. The apparatus includes first attachment components that are at least partially embedded within an injection-molded canopy and second attachment components that are connected to the canopy rail for attaching to the one or more first attachment components and thereby attaching the canopy to the canopy rail.

Abstract: A method and system for attaching a canopy to a vehicle, such as an aircraft, is provided. The system includes first and second sections. The first section attaches to the second section with a portion of the canopy being secured between the attached first and second sections. The canopy is molded to conform with the secured first and second sections. In one embodiment, the canopy is molded to include one or more fastener receiving holes with or without bushings. In another embodiment, the first or second sections include one or more channels for receiving an inflatable bladder. The first or second sections are configured to be received by the vehicle.

Abstract: An automated lapping system is provided for lapping a work product using a robot. Because the robot can apply continuous consistent pressure that far exceeds the capabilities of a human operator, lapping and polishing evolutions take a fraction of the time taken by a human operator. The system includes a robot having one or more lapping end effectors and a control component that controls the robot to lap the work product. The control component includes a processor, a user interface coupled to the processor, a communication component that receives final work product dimensions, and a positioning component that detects a lapping zone on the work product and sends the detected lapping zone to the control component. The control component controls the robot based on the sent lapping zone and received work product dimensions.

Abstract: A method for forming complexly shaped composite laminate assemblies. A pair of dry fiber preforms are placed on a tool with a thin film adhesive layer therebetween. A vacuum bag encloses the preforms and the adhesive layer. The preforms are heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the adhesive to become viscous and to wet several plys of each of the preforms. The preforms are then allowed to cool slightly before resin is infused via a vacuum source through each of the preforms to thoroughly wet each of the preforms. The resulting joint formed at the bond line of the two preforms is stronger than what would be formed simply by adhering two otherwise completely formed preforms together because the dry fiber preforms, in connection with the heating of the preforms, allow wetting of several plys of each of the preforms at the joint area, rather than just the surface ply of each preform.

Abstract: A tennis tally includes different colored markers for scoring the opposing sides of a tennis match. The markers are movable to at least four positions so as to be capable of scoring "0", "15", "30" and "40" for each side. The tally may be readily attached to or made integral with the end of a tennis racket handle.