Low Cost, Agile Methods for Tooling for Manufacturing Composite Parts

Low Cost agile tooling methods, processed in Globes RapidClave curing system, has been identified as a key enabling technology by the AFRL team to achieve its cost reduction mandate for next generation Carbon Fiber intensive air vehicle structures. For this Phase-II effort, Globe will modify the Phase-I, lab scale tool system for processing within a RapidClave machine. Globe will then complete the process characterization studies in a “real worldâ€Â manufacturing process environment. With the modified lab scale tooling system, Globe will confirm Phase-1 data results, cure prepreg materials on the sub-scale wing skin tool plate and complete physical property testing to compare RapidClave vs Autoclave material properties. In addition, Globe will design-build and commission a “scaled upâ€Â version of the Phase-I tool system that is capable of processing larger parts in a RapidClave system. A scaled up, low cost tool plate(s) of the Phase-I wing section will be used for the Phase-II large scale process studies. Globe will repeat a portion the Phase-I process characterization studies to capture data and assess the scalability for larger, full size applications such as fuselage sections and wing sections. Using his approach, Globe will demonstrate cycle time improvements over traditional autoclave processes.