Troubleshooter
Avoiding pitfalls in the design of LFAM composite components
Recoat temperature, part orientation and bead geometry are some key design variables to consider for a successful and reliable large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) process.
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Guidance for the thermoforming process
A briefing on some of the common foam core material types, forming methods and tooling requirements.
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Revisiting the double vacuum debulk process
Evolution of the double vacuum debulk (DVD) process over the years continues to advance its “near autoclave quality” for low-void, highly compacted repair patches.
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Fastener selection for composite materials
How to navigate terminology, materials and functionality in choosing the right fastener for components or assemblies involving composite materials.
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Nondestructive inspection methods available to composites manufacturers
An overview of composite laminate inspection techniques ranging from manual testing methods to more advanced, noncontact options.
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Aerodynamic considerations when repairing complex composite structures
An example process gives steps and issues to consider when determining the most effective repair method for preserving the aerodynamic surface of a complex-contoured composite sandwich structure.
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The basics of composite drawing interpretation
Knowing the fundamentals for reading drawings — including master ply tables, ply definition diagrams and more — lays a foundation for proper composite design evaluation.
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Understanding vacuum bagging layers in production, repair
Recognizing the functions of each layer in a vacuum bag schedule can help users discover what vacuum bag schedules work best for their application.
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Real-time assessment of thermoset composites curing
The combination of material state management (MSM) software and an encapsulated sample rheometer (ESR) enables real-time cure recipe management or cure model development inside the autoclave.
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Nine factors to consider when designing composites cure tooling
Gary Bond discusses the common pitfalls and compromises when designing good cure tooling and their holistic significance for a robust composite production process.
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