Automated, High-Quality Composite Repair

Current composite repair processes for aircraft are labor intensive, require specialized training, and utilize expensive materials with limited shelf life. Laminate repair patches must be manually assembled and partially or fully cured off part, prior to bonding to the damaged structures.  Recent technological advances have enabled the use of automated Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques to fabricate high-strength composite materials.  The Navy is interested in exploiting these technologies for developing a portable, automated system that consistently and efficiently produces high-quality repair of composite aircraft structures.  To meet the Navy’s need, Luna will leverage extensive experience in streamlining current Navy composite repair processes with the additive fabrication experts at Virginia Tech’s Design, Research, and Education for Additive Manufacturing Systems (DREAMS) laboratory.  Incorporation of Luna’s repair technology into additive fabrication equipment will enable automated high fiber volume and low void content repairs that meet or exceed component strength and durability requirements.