A method of removing a vacuum bag from a composite mold. Removable strips are placed around the perimeter of the component parts and across the parts to create natural break points in the consumable materials used during manufacture of a composite product, e.g. wind turbine blade. The vacuum bag, and other consumable layers, are placed over the removable strip such that when the strips are pulled, the strip tears, in a controlled and complete manner, through each layer of consumables. This eliminates the need to use a knife/scissor to remove the finished product, thereby avoiding risk of injury.

A resin impregnation measurement device includes a jig and a resin impregnation sensor. The jig is formed into an inner surface shape of a protrusion of a stringer. The jig includes outer surfaces including a facing surface that is to face an inner surface of the protrusion. The resin impregnation sensor is disposed on the facing surface of the jig.

A method of fabricating a composite structure includes laying at least one composite ply about a bladder, the bladder comprising a phase change material in a first phase having a first volume, positioning an outer mold about the bladder and the at least one composite ply, and curing the at least one composite ply to form the composite structure. Curing causes the phase change material contained within the bladder to change to a second phase to expand from the first volume to a second volume and apply a pressure to an interior surface of the composite ply and press an outer surface of the composite ply against the outer mold to form an interior cavity. The bladder is not removable from the formed interior cavity.

A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic part from a blank part having a first moulding member and a second moulding member which are configured to cooperate together. A first heating body configured to heat the first moulding member and conductively heat the blank part. Two thermal insulation members are configured to cooperatively define a closed cavity in which at least the moulding members and the first heating body are arranged. A casing defining an internal volume in which at least the moulding members, the first heating body and the thermal insulation members are arranged, and a suction member is configured to lower the internal pressure in the internal volume to compress the preform part between the moulding members.

This molding apparatus is intended for the manufacturing of a molded article from a raw material intended to be arranged in a first region of an embossing chamber of the molding apparatus. The embossing chamber includes a mold and a counter-mold, the molds being arranged on two opposite sides of the first region. The molding apparatus further includes a second chamber having a common wall with the embossing chamber and a pressurization system configured to generate a predefined pressure differential between the embossing chamber and the second chamber, the common wall including at least one embossing actuator, the embossing actuator being configured to generate a movement of at least one of the molds so as to mold the raw material when a predefined pressure differential is applied.

A multi-layer elastomeric tooling for the manufacturing of composite structures is disclosed. The tooling comprises an elastomeric base material with an outer layer of fluoroelastomer. The base material can, in certain embodiments, be selected for its mechanical or thermal performance or low cost without the limitation of being a contact material. The outer material can, in various embodiments, have inferior mechanical properties, or durometers different than the base material or can be a contact or barrier material.

Systems and methods are provided for vacuum handling of composite parts. One embodiment is a method for performing vacuum securement of an object. The method includes covering the object with an impermeable membrane, locating a vacuum port at the impermeable membrane, and applying a negative pressure to the vacuum port that offsets air leaks between the impermeable membrane and the object.

There is disclosed a sealable, flexible membrane for encapsulating a part to be isostatically pressed at an elevated temperature. The membrane includes at least one first layer of polymeric film having a melting point above the elevated temperature, and at least one second layer disposed on the first layer. The second layer comprising a metal. In one embodiment, the metal comes into contact with the part to be isostatically pressed. The membrane, which typically has a thickness ranging from 10 to about 500 μm, and is impermeable to the flow of liquids and gases when sealed, can be used to warm press parts up to about 350° C. and pressures ranging from 5,000 psi to 100.000 psi. Methods to isostatically press parts using this sealable, flexible membrane are also disclosed. Bags made from the sealable, flexible membrane that are used in isostatic presses are also disclosed.

Described herein are methods and systems for forming composite stringer assemblies or, more specifically, for shaping composite charges while forming these stringer assemblies. A system comprises a bladder, having a bladder core, and a bladder skin. The bladder core is formed from foam. The bladder skin is formed from an elastic material and encloses the bladder core. When a composite stringer assembly is formed, the bladder is positioned over a charge base. The charge base later becomes a stringer base, such as a fuselage section or a wing skin. A charge hat is then positioned over the bladder and is conformed to the bladder. A combination of the bladder skin and the bladder core provides support during this forming operation and later while the stringer assembly is cured. In some examples, the bladder core is collapsible for the removal of the bladder from the cavity of the stringer assembly.

A battery case shaping apparatus and method shape a pouch-shaped battery case. The battery case shaping apparatus includes a conductive liquid and positive and negative electrodes each configured to generate electric discharge in the conductive liquid in order to prevent a laminate sheet for battery cases from being damaged by friction between a punch and a die and to allow the entirety of the laminate sheet to be elongated.