A device for consolidating a fiber preform to obtain a panel made of composite material of large dimension, comprising an induction heating system configured to generate at least one electromagnetic field in a heating zone, at least one susceptor incorporated in a first die tool supporting the fiber preform and/or a cladding covering the fiber preform, each susceptor producing a uniform heating of the fiber preform when it is positioned in the electromagnetic field of the induction heating system, and a mechanism configured to induce a relative movement between the induction heating system and the first die tool so that all the fiber preform crosses the heating zone.

A system for curing a thermoset composite may include a tooling die configured to receive and support an uncured thermoset composite part and to heat the uncured thermoset composite part; a pressure media bag configured to be placed over the uncured thermoset composite part disposed on the tooling die and including a pressure media; and a mechanical press configured to apply a consolidation pressure to the uncured thermoset composite part disposed on the tooling die, the pressure media bag may be configured to distribute the consolidation pressure applied by the mechanical press to the uncured thermoset composite part disposed on the tooling die.

A method of fabricating a preform is provided. The method includes disposing a veil over a first mold portion having a three-dimensional shape, the veil including a thermoplastic material and magnetic particles; disposing a fiber tow onto the veil; heating at least a portion of the veil by induction so that the fiber tow becomes coupled to the veil; compressing the fiber tow and the veil toward each other with a second mold portion that has a negative contour relative to the first mold portion; and removing the preform from the first and second mold portions. The preform has the three-dimensional shape and includes the fiber tow coupled to the veil. Preforms prepared by the method are also provided.

An incremental forming machine and a process are disclosed that comprise selecting a blank and selecting a stylus that has a tip at one end. The stylus may be heated to a desired temperature before contacting the blank with the stylus to change a characteristic of the blank or part. The stylus apparatus may include a tip on an end of a shaft and a resistance heating element disposed inside the tip. Alternatively, the stylus apparatus may include an induction heating coil disposed around the tip. The tip of the stylus may have a rotatable ball that engages the blank or part.

Systems and methods for producing a preform for a composite member. An exemplary method includes preparing a lay-up of reinforcement layers and thermoplastic interlayers, and transferring the lay-up to a preform tool. The method further includes inducing heat in the preform tool to a transition-temperature range that causes the thermoplastic interlayers to become tacky or viscous, and applying pressure to the lay-up with the preform tool to shape the lay-up into the preform.

A polymer composition capable of being additively manufactured includes a polymer matrix and a magnetically receptive additive. The polymer composition may be additively manufactured or extruded to form a tool which may be used to form a composite part.

A polymer composition capable of being additively manufactured includes a polymer matrix and an NTE additive. The NTE additive enables tailoring of the CTE of the polymer composition and the additively manufactured structure made using the composition.

A system for curing a thermoset composite may include a tooling die configured to receive and support an uncured thermoset composite part and to heat the uncured thermoset composite part; a pressure media bag configured to be placed over the uncured thermoset composite part disposed on the tooling die and including a pressure media; and a mechanical press configured to apply a consolidation pressure to the uncured thermoset composite part disposed on the tooling die, the pressure media bag may be configured to distribute the consolidation pressure applied by the mechanical press to the uncured thermoset composite part disposed on the tooling die.

A process for post curing a composite product made from a filament winding process comprises the steps of: surrounding the composite product, that is disposed about a rotatable mandrel, with an outer jacket; and simultaneously rotating and heating the mandrel resulting in post curing of the composite product according to a process that can be referred to as being a combo-semi-centrifugal post curing process.

Systems and methods for producing a preform for a composite member. An exemplary method includes preparing a lay-up of reinforcement layers and thermoplastic interlayers, and transferring the lay-up to a preform tool. The method further includes inducing heat in the preform tool to a transition-temperature range that causes the thermoplastic interlayers to become tacky or viscous, and applying pressure to the lay-up with the preform tool to shape the lay-up into the preform.