RTM aerospace components developed using rapid prototype tooling

摘要

Full scale Resin Transfer Molded (RTM) components have been successfully developed using rapid prototype tooling techniques, realizing significant lead time and cost reductions. The quaity requirements of aerospace hardware demand a level of precision in tooling which has otherwise only been achieved through relatively expensive machining techniques. The risks associated with certain applications typically warrant early test data to substantiate configuration decisions before expensive tooling is purchased. This discussion is based on the results of a development effort aimed at reducing the lead time and cost of RTM tooling Tooling fabrication methods and component fabrication fabrication results are presented.