A composite assembly that includes one or more panels and integral stiffeners. The composite assembly is formed from multiple composite plies that form the one or more panels and stiffeners. The construction process uses multiple tool segments that each replicate a section of the composite assembly. Composite plies are positioned on each tool segment and then the tool segments and their composite plies are placed together. Sections of the plies that extend along the faces of the tool segments form the panel. Sections of the composite plies that extend along lateral sides of the tool segments form the stiffeners. Additional composite plies are layed up over the tool segments and composite plies to complete the process. The composite plies are then cured to form the finished composite assembly.

The present technology relates to systems and methods for cleaning a compression molding system. In particular, a system including a first roller carrying a cleaning tape is provided. The system further includes a second roller configured to dispense the cleaning tape along a compression molding structure. The tape is removably adhered to the structure and subsequently removed, thereby removing foreign debris such as dust and/or other particles from the compression molding structure.

The present technology relates to systems and methods for cleaning a compression molding system. In particular, a system including a first roller carrying a cleaning tape is provided. The system further includes a second roller configured to dispense the cleaning tape along a compression molding structure. The tape is removably adhered to the structure and subsequently removed, thereby removing foreign debris such as dust and/or other particles from the compression molding structure.

Some embodiments of a compression mold for forming a rib-and-sheet part includes a mold cavity and a mold insert. A sheet is placed in the mold cavity, and the mold insert is placed on the sheet. A preform assemblage is placed in a gap that is formed between the mold insert and the wall of the mold cavity. A mold core is biased above the preform assemblage, prior to molding operations, via a compression spring.

A thermal interface material is disclosed. The material includes: a sheet extending between a first major surface and a second major surface, the sheet including: a base material; and a filler material embedded in the base material. The base material may include anisotropically oriented thermally conductive elements. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive elements are preferentially oriented along a primary direction from the first major surface towards the second major surface to promote thermal conduction though the sheet along the primary direction. In some embodiments, the base material is substantially free of silicone. In some embodiments, the thermal conductivity of the sheet along the primary direction is at least 20 W/mK, 30 W/mK, 40 W/mK, 50 W/mK, 60 W/mK, 70 W/mK, 80 W/mK, 90 W/mK, 100 W/mK, or more.

An assembly for compression molding includes an insert housing defining a plurality of apertures having stop surfaces. The assembly includes a plurality of inserts disposed within the apertures and in engagement with the stop surfaces. The assembly further includes a plurality of gas springs in biased engagement with the inserts. Individual gas springs of the plurality of gas springs are adapted to independently compress under load to permit independent movement of individual inserts within the apertures relative to the insert housing.

Prior to curing a composite workpiece assembly, an expandable element can be inserted into a cavity of the workpiece assembly. The expandable element is configured to expand when a predetermined change is produced in an attribute of the element. The attribute can be a temperature of the element. The element is expanded by producing the predetermined change, and the workpiece assembly is cured while the expanded element is in the cavity, so that the expanded element applies positive pressure to inner surfaces of the cavity during curing. The expanded element can be removed from the cavity after curing. The expanded element can comprise a plurality of expandable pellets.

Disclosed herein is a thermal interface material comprising a sheet extending between a first major surface and a second major surface, the sheet comprising a base material; and a filler material embedded in the base material comprising anisotropically oriented thermally conductive elements; wherein the thermally conductive elements are preferentially oriented along a primary direction from the first major surface towards the second major surface to promote thermal conduction though the sheet along the primary direction; and wherein the base material is substantially free of silicone.

Disclosed herein is a thermal interface material comprising a sheet extending between a first major surface and a second major surface, the sheet comprising a base material; and a filler material embedded in the base material comprising anisotropically oriented thermally conductive elements; wherein the thermally conductive elements are preferentially oriented along a primary direction from the first major surface towards the second major surface to promote thermal conduction though the sheet along the primary direction; and wherein the base material is substantially free of silicone.

Methods of recovering and/or recycling expanded polymer tooling, the methods including collecting expanded polymer tooling, reducing the collected expanded polymer tooling into smaller particles, treating the reduced expanded polymer tooling in order to yield an at least partially purified recovered polymer composition, and then collecting the at least partially purified recovered polymer composition. The at least partially purified recovered polymer composition can then be used to form new expandable polymer tooling.