Open area core sandwich structure manufacturing tool
AssigneeTeijin Automotive Technologies, Inc.
InventorsHugh Foran, Matthew Plauman, Evan Freeman-Gibb, Shawn Hawes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool for manufacturing a sandwich composite material component is provided that includes a lower tool having a surface configured to receive materials for forming the sandwich composite material component. An upper tool is also provided that has a sealing edge and a cutting edge. The upper tool and the lower tool are configured to be separated to an open position and to be brought together to a closed position, the upper tool and the lower tool define a cavity when in the closed position. A process for forming a sandwich composite material component is also provided.
Claims25
A tool for manufacturing a sandwich composite material component, the tool comprising:
- a lower tool having a surface configured to receive materials for forming the sandwich composite material component;
- and
- an upper tool having a sealing edge and a cutting edge;
- wherein the upper tool and the lower tool are configured to be separated to an open position and to be brought together to a closed position, the upper tool and the lower tool defining a cavity when in the closed position.
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A process for forming a sandwich composite material component, the process comprising:
- positioning a high gloss surface sheet on a lower tool;
- joining a first face of an open area core to the high gloss surface sheet with a first adhesive layer intermediate therebetween;
- joining a structural skin to a second face opposing the first face of the open area core with a second adhesive layer intermediate therebetween to form a material stack;
- bringing an upper tool into contact with the material stack such that a sealing edge of the upper tool engages with the material stack to seal at least one edge of the material stack to join the high gloss surface sheet and the structural skin together at the at least one edge to form a moisture resistant seal;
- and
- bringing the upper tool into further contact with the material stack such that a cutting edge of the upper tool engages the material stack to trim excess material from the material stack proximal to the at least one edge.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.