Abstract: A control rod for incorporation into a composite assembly comprising at least a first preform, a second preform, and a cured resin includes a shaft defining an axis, wherein the shaft is disposable within an aperture in the composite assembly and a plurality of threads disposed helically on at least a portion of the shaft. Dry fibers from the first preform and second preform are forced into the threads of the control rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a fiber reinforced composite structure comprising at least two components, a hard base tool presenting a first tool face, a second tooling element presenting a second tool face to locate the second component against the first component. Components are of a dry fibrous form and are to be injected with a liquid resin. A flexible bagging blanket forms with the tools a sealed enclosure into which the resin is injected to form the structure by resin transfer infusion. To maintain the relative dispositions of the components without the need for elaborate mandrel plates, control rods are inserted at least partially through the two components to act as fasteners and to maintain the relative disposition of the components during resin injection. After injection the assembly is cured and the control rods may remain in situ or be removed from the structure.

Abstract: In the formation of a fiber reinforced composite material component produced by a resin transfer infusion process such as to have an electrically conductive surface layer for lightning strike protection wherein the component is to be drilled and countersunk to receive an electrically conductive fastener, a localized part of the electrically conductive mesh is deformed so as to be relocated in the countersunk recess thus to ensure electrical contact with the fastener when inserted and to eliminate any gap between the mesh and the fastener, thus determining the electrical conductive integrity of the mesh to avoid arcing in the event of lightning strike attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a fiber reinforced resin composite component by a resin transfer infusion (RTI) process in which a preform is laid up on a hard base tool and a bagging blanket is applied as a flexible upper tooling. Edge and/or other regions of the preform are superimposed by localized control plates which, together with spacer pins passing through the preform, serve to determine localized dimensional accuracy in the component without the need for hard upper tooling throughout.

Abstract: In the formation of a fiber reinforced composite material component produced by a resin transfer infusion process such as to have an electrically conductive surface layer for lightning strike protection wherein the component is to be drilled and countersunk to receive an electrically conductive fastener, a localized part of the electrically conductive mesh is deformed so as to be relocated in the countersunk recess thus to ensure electrical contact with the fastener when inserted and to eliminate any gap between the mesh and the fastener, thus determining the electrical conductive integrity of the mesh to avoid arcing in the event of lightning strike attachment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a fibre reinforced composite structure comprising at least two components, a hard base tool presenting a first tool face, a second tooling element presenting a second tool face to locate the second component against the first component. Components are of a dry fibrous form and are to be injected with a liquid resin. A flexible bagging blanket forms with the tools a sealed enclosure into which the resin is injected to form the structure by resin transfer infusion. To maintain the relative dispositions of the components without the need for elaborate mandrel plates, control rods are inserted at least partially through the two components to act as fasteners and to maintain the relative disposition of the components during resin injection. After injection the assembly is cured and the control rods may remain in situ or be removed from the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a fiber reinforced resin composite component by a resin transfer infusion (RTI) process in which a preform is laid up on a hard base tool and a bagging blanket is applied as a flexible upper tooling. Edge and/or other regions of the preform are superimposed by localized control plates which, together with spacer pins passing through the preform, serve to determine localized dimensional accuracy in the component without the need for hard upper tooling throughout.