System and method for post-cure processing of a composite workpiece
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMatthew B. Moore, Patrick B. Stone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for post-cure processing a composite workpiece includes a tool. The tool includes a tool surface. The tool surface supports the composite workpiece located on the tool. The system also includes a drill template. The drill template defines a drilling location for drilling a hole through the composite workpiece while the composite workpiece is on the tool.
Claims20
A system for post-cure processing of a composite workpiece, the system comprising:
- a tool comprising:
- a tool surface that supports the composite workpiece located on the tool;
- and
- a sacrificial portion that forms a portion of the tool surface;
- and
- a drill template that indexes a drilling location to the sacrificial portion for drilling a hole through the composite workpiece while the composite workpiece is on the tool.
A system for post-cure processing of a composite workpiece, the system comprising:
- a tool comprising:
- a tool surface that supports the composite workpiece located on the tool;
- and
- a sacrificial portion forming a portion of the tool surface;
- a drill template that indexes a drilling location on the composite workpiece to the sacrificial portion of the tool;
- and
- a drill, comprising a drill bit for drilling a hole through the composite workpiece at the drilling location, defined by the drill template, while the composite workpiece is on the tool,
- wherein a portion of the drill bit penetrates the sacrificial portion of the tool after the drill bit passes through the composite workpiece.
A method for post-cure processing a composite workpiece, the method comprising steps of:
- supporting the composite workpiece on a tool surface of a tool;
- indexing a drilling location on the composite workpiece to a sacrificial portion of the tool while the composite workpiece is on the tool using a drill template, wherein the sacrificial portion forms a portion of the tool surface;
- drilling a hole through the composite workpiece at the drilling location, defined by the drill template, while the composite workpiece is on the tool;
- and
- drilling the sacrificial portion of the tool while drilling the hole through the composite workpiece while the composite workpiece is on the tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.