Overview
The molds used for forming composites, also known as tools, can be made from virtually any material. For parts cured at ambient or low temperature, or for prototyping, where tight control of dimensional accuracy isn’t required, materials such as fiberglass, high-density foams, machinable epoxy “boards” or even clay or wood/plaster models are often suitable. Tooling costs and complexity increase as the part performance requirements and the number of parts to be produced go up. High-rate production tools are generally made of robust metals that can stand up to repeated cycles and maintain good finish and dimensional accuracy.
Composite spoilers brake Airbus for landing
New RTM'd carbon composite center hinge fitting withstands 20-ton air load in commercial jet spoiler assembly.
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Tooling for a new canard-winged pusher airplane, the e-Go (e-Go Airplanes of Cambridge, U.K.), was created from patterns made of EP678 epoxy tooling block, supplied by the Advanced Engineering Materials Product Group of Trelleborg Offshore UK (Skelmersdale, Lancashire, U.K.)
Impact testing of composite materials 5/1/2012 Composites TechnologyDr. Donald F. Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures (Salt Lake City, Utah) discusses the methods for impact testing of composites.
Concert hall composites: Acoustic alchemy 10/1/2011 Composites TechnologyMassive composite acoustic structures will reflect and diffuse sound to heighten audio quality in a new high-profile performance space.
Tooling for composites: Evolutionary trajectory 7/1/2011 Composites TechnologyNew technologies and improved methods keep up as tools get bigger and more complex and toolmaking gets ever more challenging.
Water tree: Single complex mold shapes unique composite sculpture 4/1/2011 Composites TechnologyTo fabricate a complex design for a lighted sculpture, sculptor Lawrence Argent taps the talents of composites specialists Kreysler and Assoc. (American Canyon, Calif.).
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Autoclave-cure tooling prepreg Advanced Composites Group Ltd.
Low-density epoxy tooling paste High Modulus USA LLC
Liquid mold-sealing system Henkel Corporation Aerospace
Release film, pressure-sensitive tape and tooling epoxy Airtech International Inc.
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