The Boeing Company

Eric Carlton Anderson

Andrew Elmer Modin

Allen James Halbritter

Richard Alexander Prause

Justin H Register

Luis Felipe Velasquez

Richard E Heath

Carolyn L Kupper

Caleb J Handolescu

Adam D Lee

Daniel Johnson

Michael C Hargrove

Sarah C Leung

Damien Stafford

Dorekia Martin

A method of forming a composite part from a mufti-ply prepreg composite charge comprises reducing pressure inside a bladder, located in a chamber that is at atmospheric pressure, below the atmospheric pressure. The method also comprises placing the multi-ply prepreg composite charge, having a first shape, in the chamber and reducing pressure inside the chamber below the atmospheric pressure. The method additionally comprises, while maintaining pressure inside the chamber below the atmospheric pressure, expanding the bladder within the chamber by increasing pressure inside the bladder to the atmospheric pressure, so that the multi-ply prepreg composite charge is compressed between the bladder and a forming tool, which is located inside the chamber, and the multi-ply prepreg composite charge is configured by the forming tool to a second shape, different from the first shape. The method also comprises curing the multi-ply prepreg composite charge, having the second shape.

Methods and apparatuses for forming composite parts from multi-ply prepreg composite charges

Systems and methods are provided for compacting objects onto tools. One embodiment is a method for compacting an object onto a rigid tool. The method includes placing an object onto a surface of a rigid tool, disposing an end effector over the object, spreading linkages of the end effector, causing a scroll of material between the linkages to be disposed atop the object while surrounding the object, and applying a negative pressure to the scroll that offsets air leaks between the scroll and the object, thereby forming a suction hold that compacts the object onto the rigid tool.

Scrolls that vacuum secure objects to complex surfaces

Apparatus and methods for manually applying flexible noodles (e.g., noodles made of adhesive material) to a workpiece (e.g., a composite part) during production or construction. The noodle is fed out over a series of upright rolls and rollers to the target area. Those rolls and rollers are rotatably coupled to a platform that is designed to be worn on the forearm of the operator. In accordance with one example, the noodle applicator comprising an ergonomic handle and an ergonomic forearm brace that are positioned and attached to the platform to allow the weight of the platform to be centered higher up the forearm, protecting the wrist. The direction of application is in-line with the forearm of the operator, decreasing the strain involved.

Ergonomic adhesive noodle applicator

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North Charleston, SC, United States of America

Eric Carlton Anderson