×

Method for fabricating thermoplastic composite parts

  • US 9,511,538 B2
  • Filed: 11/09/2012
  • Issued: 12/06/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic laminate part, comprising:

  • placing a multiple ply stack of non-uniform thickness within a gap between a first tooling sleeve and a second tooling sleeve to form an assembly, wherein the multiple ply stack comprises a plurality of plies of thermoplastic material, and wherein a portion of the multiple ply stack in the assembly extends laterally beyond the gap forming an exposed portion;

    feeding the assembly through a pre-forming structure to form a preformed part assembly including applying pressure to the exposed portion using a number of external forming devices to bend the multiple ply stack, wherein applying pressure to the exposed portion bends the exposed portion to contact a lateral face of at least one of the first tooling sleeve and the second tooling sleeve;

    feeding the preformed part assembly through a consolidation structure; and

    compressing and heating the preformed part assembly within the consolidation structure to form a consolidated part assembly, wherein compressing and heating the preformed part assembly consolidates the plies.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×