Automated net shaped molding of continuous fiber composites.

摘要

Composite materials have demonstrated performance benefits for a variety of satellite applications. Now, an emphasis on smaller, more specialized satellites produced in higher quantities than before is emerging. Due to the competitive economic environment, realization of cost reduction potential by the use of composite materials is critical. Producibility techniques, long employed by other aerospace segments, offer an approach to cost reduction while retaining improved performance. One cost reduction approach is to reduce the number of piece parts and assembly operations by converting from a metal-based design to one based on composite technology. Alternate composite fabrication approaches can then be compared for thermoplastic and thermoset matrices for additional producibility benefits based on properties and comparative costs. Previously developed representative data are presented for this transition from a metallic component to composite and for alternate fabrication approaches. The next step in cost reduction would appear to be the introduction of automation techniques and minimizing post fabrication operations while maintaining performance properties. The program described in section 3 is structured to provide a key confirming experiment to demonstrate that such a goal can be realized.