Systems and methods are provided for curing a composite part. The method includes the steps of: disposing a heat blanket at a composite material; applying, with a controller, power to heaters distributed across multiple cells of a heat blanket to heat the composite material at the heat blanket; monitoring, with the controller, a temperature of the composite material at each of the multiple cells via thermocouples distributed across the multiple cells; and individually adjusting, with the controller, an amount of power applied to the heaters, for each of the multiple cells, in response to the monitored temperature and a target temperature.

A layup mandrel including a rib structure comprising ribs defining a lofted surface; and a skin attached to and supported by the rib structure. The skin has a surface having a curvature of the lofted surface; the ribs are disposed to at least partially shape the curvature molding a part pressed against the surface during curing of the part; and the part comprises or consists essentially of a composite material.

Systems and techniques to provide a flexible, lightweight material that is also effective at protecting a body from ballistic threats are described. An example composite material described herein is fiber-based, and it includes one or more first regions where the fiber composite material is consolidated, and one or more second regions where the fiber composite material is unconsolidated. Example methods of manufacturing the composite material disclosed herein include using a specialized tool with a heated platen press or an autoclave. The tool may include one or more protrusions and/or cavities that contact a precursor composite material to transform the precursor material into a partially consolidated fiber composite material, which is suitable for use as body armor, among other potential applications for the manufactured composite material.

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.

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.

Systems and methods are provided for processing composite parts. One embodiment is a method for preparing a composite part for assembly. The method includes receiving a mandrel to which a composite part has been molded, and operating a work station to install an indexing feature into a manufacturing excess of the composite part.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a flow of a material through a vehicle component. In some embodiments, the methods include determining a first plurality of dimensions and a second plurality of dimensions associated with a flow medium based on one or more flow properties of the vehicle component, the flow medium including a plurality of baffle layers and a plurality of spacers. The methods may further include generating at least one baffle layer based on the first plurality of dimensions, and generating at least some of the plurality of spacers based on the second plurality of dimensions, the plurality of spacers being positioned on top of the at least one baffle layer.

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.

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.

A method for manufacturing an engineered stone, the method including: providing a mixture comprising at least a stone or stone like material and a binder; compacting the mixture; curing the binder; and further comprising printing a printed pattern on at least a top surface of the engineered stone.