Portable fabrication systems and methods using expandable tooling
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsXiaoxi Wang, Jill E. Seebergh
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Abstract
A system for fabricating a workpiece includes a case that includes an interior volume. The case is configured to enclose at least a portion of the workpiece to be fabricated. The system includes an expandable medium disposed within the interior volume between the case and at least the portion of the workpiece. The expandable medium is configured to expand within the case such that the expandable medium applies positive pressure to at least the portion of the workpiece enclosed by the case.
Claims20
A system for portable fabrication, the system comprising:
- a case comprising an interior volume and configured to enclose at least a portion of a workpiece to be fabricated;
- and
- an expandable medium disposed within the interior volume between the case and at least the portion of the workpiece, wherein the expandable medium is configured to expand within the case such that the expandable medium applies positive pressure to at least the portion of the workpiece enclosed by the case.
A method for fabricating a workpiece, the method comprising:
- enclosing at least a portion of the workpiece in an interior volume of a case;
- applying an expandable medium in the interior volume between the case and at least the portion of the workpiece;
- expanding the expandable medium;
- applying a positive pressure to at least the portion of the workpiece;
- and
- processing the workpiece in response to applying the positive pressure.
A portable fabrication kit comprising:
- a case comprising an interior volume and configured for enclosing at least a portion of a workpiece to be fabricated;
- and
- an expandable medium,
- wherein:
- the expandable medium is configured to be applied in the interior volume between the case and at least the portion of the workpiece;
- and
- the expandable medium is configured to expand for applying a positive pressure to at least the portion of the workpiece enclosed by the case.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.