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US 2011/0030521 A1Published application
Cutting Sequence for Net Trimming a Composite Layup at an Oblique Angle
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRichard B. Evans, John Heigl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
To generate a bevel in an uncured composite layup, an edge of part cut through the composite layup is performed at about 90° relative to the composite layup and a bevel cut is performed on the edge of part.
Claims25
A method of generating a bevel in an uncured composite layup, the method comprising:
- performing an edge of part cut through the composite layup at about 90° relative to the composite layup;
- and
- performing a bevel cut of the edge of part.
(canceled)
5-6. (canceled)
A method of cutting an uncured layup of up to 20 composite plies, the method comprising,
- cutting a periphery of a composite layup using an ultrasonic knife oriented vertically relative to the layup, the ultrasonic knife being controlled to penetrate into a supporting substrate on which the composite layup is supported;
- and
- cutting a bevel along the periphery using the ultrasonic knife, the bevel cutting ultrasonic knife being controlled to cut away a scrap material without penetrating the supporting substrate.
A method of cutting an uncured layup of more than 20 composite plies, the method comprising,
- cutting a periphery of the layup using an ultrasonic knife oriented vertically, the ultrasonic knife being controlled to penetrate below a supporting substrate on which the layup is supported;
- cutting an intermediate cut into the layup using the ultrasonic knife oriented vertically, the intermediate cut being cut relatively inside the periphery and at a predetermined depth above a nominal bevel surface;
- and
- cutting a bevel on the layup using the ultrasonic knife, the bevel being cut in a plurality of passes, a first pass of the plurality of passes comprising controlling the ultrasonic knife to penetrate about to an intersection between the nominal bevel surface and the periphery, a final pass of the plurality of passes comprising controlling the bevel cutting ultrasonic knife to sever a scrap material disposed relatively above the nominal bevel surface and controlling the bevel cutting ultrasonic knife to not penetrate the supporting substrate.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.