Abstract: There is provided by this invention an apparatus for drilling composite materials which provides controlled depth drilling. In a first embodiment of the invention, a drill motor is integrated within a microstop cage and retained by a lock nut, such that by extending or shortening the microstop cage the depth of the hole drilled is decreased or increased, respectively. The drill motor is urged towards the composite surface against spring pressure which, in conjuntion with a stop collar, limits the depth of the hole drilled. Furthermore, the spring facilitates the retraction of the drill bit from the composite surface. Alternatively, the depth of a hole may be incrementally controlled by the amount that a stop cage is threaded onto an attachment sleeve that in turn is attached to the drill motor. The further the stop cage is threaded onto the attachment sleeve, the deeper the hole drilled will be as more of the drill bit will be exposed beyond the stop cage.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention an apparatus for injecting resin which provides a sealed injection position for uniform injection pressure on the resin and allows the depth of the injection needle to the controlled so that even minute delaminations, cracks, and voids in composite structures may be filled. The filling resin is contained in a syringe which is held in an injector frame. The syringe's needle protrudes from the nosepiece which is threadably engaged in the injector frame so that by further rotation of the nosepiece the depth of injection may be altered. Air lines and inlet ports are provided to urge the plunger of the syringe forward so as to eject resin into the composite structure, as well as to provide an improved seal about the injection position at the surface of the composite structure.