The Boeing Company

Joshua Paul Koehn

Marc Rollo Matsen

Randall Dow Wilkerson

David Eric Gideon

Paul Gabriel Werntges

Aaron Ross Cowin

Eileen E Miller

Kirk J Malmquist

A method and structure for processing a plurality of prepreg sheets includes a conveyor assembly having a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a processing zone positioned between the first and second conveyors. In an implementation, a plurality of prepreg sheets are advanced from a plurality of material supply creels into the processing zone by a first conveyor and a second conveyor turning in opposite directions. Within the processing zone, a compressive pressure is applied to the prepreg sheets by first pressure plates attached to first conveyor and second pressure plates attached to the second conveyor. A thermoplastic within the prepreg sheets is melted within the processing zone by a heater to consolidate the prepreg sheets into a consolidated laminate.

Method and apparatus for rapid continuous consolidation of thermoplastic components

A co-consolidation tool, including a heating assembly to receive one or more thermoplastic parts and to apply a consolidation temperature to the one or more thermoplastic parts, a pressure bladder to apply a consolidation pressure to the one or more thermoplastic parts, and a support insert shaped and configured to support and at least partially surround at least one of the one or more thermoplastic parts, wherein at least one of heating assembly and the pressure bladder is shaped to receive and support the support insert.

Method and system for co-consolidation of thermoplastic composite material parts

Growing community of inventors

Mukilteo, WA, United States of America

Joshua Paul Koehn