Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing composite parts has been developed which offers the ability to produce composite parts in an infusion resin process without the use of expensive preforms or tools. In addition, the methods of manufacturing composite parts described herein offer the ability to produce composite parts having complex structures without the need for complex tooling. The method of manufacturing and systems described herein typically include printing a part skeleton using an additive manufacturing process followed by infusing the part skeleton with resin and curing the resin infused part skeleton to form the composite part.

Abstract: A vacuum port base comprises an upper face, a lower face, a first channel, and a second channel. The upper face is configured to interface with a vacuum port. The lower face is configured to interface with a surface of a tool. The first channel formed in the lower face is configured to receive an edge breather. The second channel formed within the vacuum port base is configured to receive the vacuum port such that the vacuum port is in fluid communication with the first channel and the edge breather to remove gases from a composite structure.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing composite parts has been developed which offers the ability to produce composite parts in an infusion resin process without the use of expensive preforms or tools. In addition, the methods of manufacturing composite parts described herein offer the ability to produce composite parts having complex structures without the need for complex tooling. The method of manufacturing and systems described herein typically include printing a part skeleton using an additive manufacturing process followed by infusing the part skeleton with resin and curing the resin infused part skeleton to form the composite part.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing composite parts has been developed which offers the ability to produce composite parts in an infusion resin process without the use of expensive preforms or tools. In addition, the methods of manufacturing composite parts described herein offer the ability to produce composite parts having complex structures without the need for complex tooling. The method of manufacturing and systems described herein typically include printing a part skeleton using an additive manufacturing process followed by infusing the part skeleton with resin and curing the resin infused part skeleton to form the composite part.

Abstract: A method for predicting distortion and residual stress in a workpiece resulting from a peening process may include the steps of providing a coupon including residual stress induced in a coupon surface by the peening process, calculating a moment coefficient representative of residual stress induced in the coupon surface, calibrating a stress function to the moment coefficient, applying the stress function to a workpiece model of the workpiece, and computing at least one of predicted distortion and residual stress of the workpiece resulting from application of the calibrated stress function to the workpiece model.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing composite parts. An expandable tool with a transfer system may be moved on a surface of the expandable tool into an outer mold line tool with a composite material laid up on the outer mold line tool. The expandable tool may be expanded in the outer mold line tool to change the surface from a retracted state to an expanded state. The transfer system may be transferred from the expandable tool with the surface in the expanded state to the outer mold line tool.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for making and post-processing a 3-D printed object for laminate-forming tooling, and components made using post-processed 3-D printed laminate-forming tooling.

Abstract: A composite layup is formed on a tool and placed on a contoured part. The tool is contoured to substantially match the contour of the part. A set of location data is generated which represents the location of the part in space relative to the tool. An automated manipulator uses the location data to move the tool into proximity to the part and place the contoured layup on the part.

Abstract: A vacuum port base comprises an upper face, a lower face, a first channel, and a second channel. The upper face is configured to interface with a vacuum port. The lower face is configured to interface with a surface of a tool. The first channel formed in the lower face is configured to receive an edge breather. The second channel formed within the vacuum port base is configured to receive the vacuum port such that the vacuum port is in fluid communication with the first channel and the edge breather to remove gases from a composite structure.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing composite parts has been developed which offers the ability to produce composite parts in an infusion resin process without the use of expensive preforms or tools. In addition, the methods of manufacturing composite parts described herein offer the ability to produce composite parts having complex structures without the need for complex tooling. The method of manufacturing and systems described herein typically include printing a part skeleton using an additive manufacturing process followed by infusing the part skeleton with resin and curing the resin infused part skeleton to form the composite part.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for making and post-processing a 3-D printed object for laminate-forming tooling, and components made using post-processed 3-D printed laminate-forming tooling.

Abstract: A composite layup is formed on a tool and placed on a contoured part. The tool is contoured to substantially match the contour of the part. A set of location data is generated which represents the location of the part in space relative to the tool. An automated manipulator uses the location data to move the tool into proximity to the part and place the contoured layup on the part.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing composite parts. An expandable tool with a transfer system may be moved on a surface of the expandable tool into an outer mold line tool with a composite material laid up on the outer mold line tool. The expandable tool may be expanded in the outer mold line tool to change the surface from a retracted state to an expanded state. The transfer system may be transferred from the expandable tool with the surface in the expanded state to the outer mold line tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing composite parts. An expandable tool with a transfer system may be moved on a surface of the expandable tool into an outer mold line tool with a composite material laid up on the outer mold line tool. The expandable tool may be expanded in the outer mold line tool to change the surface from a retracted state to an expanded state. The transfer system may be transferred from the expandable tool with the surface in the expanded state to the outer mold line tool.

Abstract: A composite layup is formed on a tool and placed on a contoured part. The tool is contoured to substantially match the contour of the part. A set of location data is generated which represents the location of the part in space relative to the tool. An automated manipulator uses the location data to move the tool into proximity to the part and place the contoured layup on the part.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing composite parts. A temporary removal layer may be placed on an inner mold line tool. A composite material may be laid up on the inner mold line tool for a composite part. The inner mold line tool may be positioned with the composite part inside an outer mold line tool. The composite part and the temporary removal layer may be transferred from the inner mold line tool to the outer mold line tool. The inner mold line tool and the temporary removal layer may be removed from inside of the outer mold line tool after transferring the composite part and the temporary removal layer to the outer mold line tool.

Abstract: A composite layup is formed on a tool and placed on a contoured part. The tool is contoured to substantially match the contour of the part. A set of location data is generated which represents the location of the part in space relative to the tool. An automated manipulator uses the location data to move the tool into proximity to the part and place the contoured layup on the part.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing composite parts. A temporary removal layer may be placed on an inner mold line tool. A composite material may be laid up on the inner mold line tool for a composite part. The inner mold line tool may be positioned with the composite part inside an outer mold line tool. The composite part and the temporary removal layer may be transferred from the inner mold line tool to the outer mold line tool. The inner mold line tool and the temporary removal layer may be removed from inside of the outer mold line tool after transferring the composite part and the temporary removal layer to the outer mold line tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing composite parts. An expandable tool with a transfer system may be moved on a surface of the expandable tool into an outer mold line tool with a composite material laid up on the outer mold line tool. The expandable tool may be expanded in the outer mold line tool to change the surface from a retracted state to an expanded state. The transfer system may be transferred from the expandable tool with the surface in the expanded state to the outer mold line tool.