Composite ply stabilizing system

A stabilizing mechanism for resisting relative movement of upper and lower laminates mounted to a chamfered core of a composite structure to prevent core crush of the chamfered core under the application of autoclave force to the chamfered core, the upper and lower laminates being respectively mounted to upper and lower surfaces of the core, the upper and lower laminates being respectively comprised of upper and lower plies, the composite structure having a perimeter including a trim line defining a trim margin, the stabilizing mechanism comprising:

• a lower grip strip bonded to the tool within the trim margin and including a generally elongate metallic sheet member having inner and outer surfaces and including a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the outer surface, the protrusions from the lower grip strip engaging at least two of the plies for preventing movement relative to the lower grip strip;
• at least one upper grip strip in substantial alignment with the lower grip strip and comprising a pair of the sheet members bonded at the inner surfaces in back-to-back arrangement and each having a plurality of the protrusions extending outwardly from the respective outer surfaces, the protrusions from the upper grip strip engaging the lower grip strip for preventing movement relative thereto and engaging at least two of the plies on opposing sides of the upper grip strip for preventing movement of the plies relative to the upper grip strip;
• at least one tie strap mounted to the tool and overlapping a portion of the upper grip strip;
• and
• a bagging film sealing the composite structure to the tool for applying compressive force on the upper and lower laminates to increase engagement with the upper and lower grip strips.

A system for resisting relative movement of upper and lower laminates mounted to a chamfered core of a composite structure to reduce core crush of the chamfered core, the system comprising:

• a tool for receiving the composite structure;
• a stabilizing mechanism, including:
• a lower grip strip mounted to the tool and having an outer surface including at least one engagement feature for engaging at least one of the upper and lower laminates;
• and
• at least one upper grip strip having opposing outer surfaces each including at least one engagement feature for engaging the lower grip strip and at least one of the upper and lower laminates;
• and
• a force mechanism for applying a compressive force to the upper laminate for increasing the engagement of the upper and lower laminates to the upper and lower grip strips.