RECONFIGURABLE SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER SUPPORT TOOLING
A support apparatus and method for providing structural support to a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus during fabrication of composite parts. The support apparatus may comprise an adjustable, rigid structural member and a plurality of SMP support components transitionable between a rigid and mall...
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Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | A support apparatus and method for providing structural support to a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus during fabrication of composite parts. The support apparatus may comprise an adjustable, rigid structural member and a plurality of SMP support components transitionable between a rigid and malleable state and fixed to an outer surface of the rigid structural member. The rigid structural member may extend in at least one cross-sectional dimension toward the SMP apparatus, pressing the SMP support components, in their malleable state, against the SMP apparatus. The SMP support components may thereby conform to a first surface of the SMP apparatus, then return to their rigid state while pressed against the SMP apparatus, thus providing a rigid load path between the SMP apparatus and the rigid structural member. Then composite material may be applied to a second surface of the SMP apparatus, opposite of the first surface. |
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