Open area core sandwich structure manufacturing tool
AssigneeCsp Innovations, 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.
Claims11
1-16. (canceled)
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 having at least one edge;
- 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 all the edges of the material stack to join the high gloss surface sheet and the structural skin together along all the edges of the material stack 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 all the edges thereof.
(canceled)
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.