System and method for forming a bonded joint
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMichael Walter Evens, John F. Spalding, Jr., Megan Nicole Watson, Allan Joshua Slocum, Joel Patrick Baldwin
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for forming a bonded joint on a composite structure is presented. An apparatus carrying a first workpiece is positioned relative to a second workpiece. A vacuum is applied to the first workpiece and a portion of the second workpiece. A bladder on a first surface of a housing of the apparatus is deflated. Deflating the bladder positions the first workpiece such that adhesive having a desired thickness is positioned between the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The adhesive positioned between the first workpiece and the second workpiece is cured.
Claims7
A method comprising:
- positioning an apparatus carrying a first workpiece relative to a second workpiece;
- applying a vacuum to the first workpiece and a portion of the second workpiece;
- deflating a bladder on a first surface of a housing of the apparatus such that a number of standoffs that extend a first distance from the first surface are caused to contact the second workpiece, wherein deflating the bladder positions the first workpiece such that adhesive having a desired thickness is positioned between the first workpiece and the second workpiece, wherein when deflated, the bladder extends a second distance from the first surface of the housing that is shorter than the first distance;
- and
- curing the adhesive positioned between the first workpiece and the second workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.