A method apparatus, and system method for manufacturing a composite part. A set of composite preforms is placed on a set of slip sheets. The set of slip sheets with the set of composite preforms is attached to a cure mandrel to form a composite preform assembly.

Methods of making fiber-containing prepregs are described. The methods may include the steps of providing a plurality of fibers, and applying a reactive resin composition to the plurality of fibers to make a mixture of the plurality of fibers and the resin composition. The reactive resin composition may include at least one of monomers and oligomers capable of polymerizing into a polymerized resin matrix. The mixture may be heated to a polymerization temperature where the monomers, oligomers, or both polymerize to form a fiber-resin amalgam that includes the polymerized resin matrix. The fiber-resin amalgam may be formed into the fiber-containing prepreg. Also described are methods of forming a fiber-reinforced composite that includes the prepreg.

Techniques for providing universal interfaces between parts of a transport structure are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for joining first and second parts of a transport structure includes an additively manufactured body having first and second surfaces. The first surface may connect to a first part such as, for example, a panel. The second surface may include a fitting for mating with a complementary fitting on a second part.

A system for manufacturing modular aircraft includes at least a common tooling component, wherein the at least a common tooling component is configured to manufacture at least a flight component. The system includes at least a modular tooling component, wherein the at least modular tooling component wherein the at least a modular tooling component is configured to manufacture at least a fuselage component and a collar component. The system includes at least a tooling interface component, wherein the at least a tooling interface component is configured to mechanically connect the at least a common tooling component at a first end to the at least a modular tooling component at a second end.

A system for constructing a composite structure includes a braiding machine, a winding tool and a forming machine. The composite structure is constructed of a wound tubular braiding. The wound tubular braiding is constructed of a biaxial or triaxial tubular braid of unidirectional tape.

A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic prepreg includes a double belt mechanism that is configured to compress a fiber mat, web, or mesh that is passed through the double belt mechanism, a resin applicator that is configured to apply monomers or oligomers to the fiber mat, web, or mesh, and a curing oven that is configured to effect polymerization of the monomers or oligomers and thereby form the thermoplastic polymer as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is moved through the curing oven. The double belt mechanism compresses the fiber mat, web, or mesh and the applied monomers or oligomers as the fiber mat, web, or mesh is passed through the curing oven so that the monomers or oligomers fully saturate the fiber mat, web, or mesh. Upon polymerization of the monomers or oligomers, the fiber mat, web, or mesh is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer.

A method for producing a sheet molding compound including impregnating a resin composition into carbon fibers. The method is characterized in that the bulkiness H.sub.o of the carbon fibers before an impregnation step is 3 mm or more, the compression ratio R.sub.c (H.sub.c/H.sub.o) of the carbon fibers in the impregnation step is less than 1, the thickness of the sheet molding compound is 10 mm or less, and the content Wc of the carbon fibers is 40% by mass or more. The method for producing a sheet molding compound can produce a sheet molding compound having the excellent impregnation property into carbon fibers and thus can be preferably used for exteriors, structures, and the like of an automotive member, a railroad vehicle member, an aerospace vehicle member, a ship member, a housing equipment member, a sport member, a light vehicle member, a civil engineering and construction member, an OA equipment.

An insert (105) for a wind turbine blade root. The insert (105) has a bushing (40) and an outer surface with circumferential annular grooves (68). A transition layer 5 (102) is built up around the bushing (40). The transition layer (102) has fibrous material sheet layers and filamentary material windings (80) in the grooves which alternate with fibrous plies (98) covering the grooves (68). Each fibrous ply (98) is anchored into the grooves (68) by the windings (80). Fibrous battens (148) are fitted around the transition layer (102) to form an insert body (108). Each batten (148) 10 has a deltoid cross-section so that the battens give the insert a quadrilateral or trapezoidal cross-section.

A fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold includes a supply roll for storing and supplying composite tape having a backing film to the fiber placement head; a film roll for receiving the backing film from the composite tape that is removed from the film roll; an electric motor that rotates the supply roll or the film roll; and a slip clutch, coupled with the supply roll or the film roll, that permits the relative displacement of the angular position of the film roll with respect to the angular position of the supply roll.

According to one implementation, a composite material structure includes a corrugated stringer and a panel. The corrugated stringer has a corrugated structure including portions each having hat-shaped cross section. The corrugated stringer is made of a composite material. The panel is integrated with the corrugated stringer. The panel is made of a composite material. Further, according to one implementation, a manufacturing method of a composite material structure includes: setting a textile on a laminated body of prepregs; and producing the composite material structure by covering the laminated body with a bagging film, forming a vacuum state in a space covered with the bagging film, impregnating the textile with the resin, and thermal curing of the laminated body of the prepregs. The laminated body is a panel before curing. The textile has a structure corresponding to a corrugated stringer.