Apparatus for locating holes to be drilled in post cure composite structures and associated method

An apparatus for locating holes to be drilled in a post-cure composite structure, said apparatus comprising:

• a bonding fixture defining at least one hole, said bonding fixture having a first surface which defines a shape of said composite structure and an opposing surface;
• and
• a drill boss mounted to the opposing surface of said bonding fixture, said drill boss defining a bore aligned with said at least one hole defined by the bonding fixture such that a hole can be drilled in the composite structure by inserting a drill bit through said drill boss bore and said at least one hole defined by said bonding fixture.

A method for fabricating a bonding fixture that facilitates drilling of holes in a post-cure composite structure formed on a first surface of the bonding fixture, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming at least one hole through the bonding fixture;
• and
• coupling a drill boss to a surface of the bonding fixture opposite the first surface, said coupling step comprising coupling the drill boss to the bonding fixture such that a bore defined by the drill boss is aligned with said at least one hole defined by the bonding fixture such that a hole can be drilled in the composite structure by inserting a drill bit through said drill boss bore and said at least one hole defined by said bonding fixture.