초록 ▼

Uncured elastomeric sheet material (42) is built up on the outer surface of a production article (36) constructed from composite materials. A vacuum bag system (20, 24, 26, 30, 32) is used for holding the uncured elastomer member (60) against the composite article (36) while the elastomer member (60

Uncured elastomeric sheet material (42) is built up on the outer surface of a production article (36) constructed from composite materials. A vacuum bag system (20, 24, 26, 30, 32) is used for holding the uncured elastomer member (60) against the composite article (36) while the elastomer member (60) is being cured under heat and pressure. Such curing causes the elastomer member (60) to shrink. The elastomer member (60) is then resized by cutting it into sections (66). The sections (66) are placed back on the composite article (36) and each is positioned on such article (36) at a location best conforming to it in shape. This leaves gaps (68) between the sections (66). Additional uncured elastomer (70) is applied to fill the gaps (68) and bridge across the gaps (68), to in that manner splice the sections (66) together. A vacuum bag (20, 24, 26, 30, 32) is again applied and the bag assembly (20, 24, 26, 30, 32 ) is again cured under heat and pressure, to cure the additional elastomer material (70). The elastomer member (60″) formed in this manner substantially conforms in size and shape to the production composite article (36) and can be used as a pressure pad in the manufacture of additional articles (36) of the composite material.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of manufacturing a contoured pressure pad of a type used for applying pressure to a contoured composite part during curing of said part, comprising: providing a previously manufactured composite part of the desired size and contour, to serve as a form for the pressure pad; applying uncured,

A method of manufacturing a contoured pressure pad of a type used for applying pressure to a contoured composite part during curing of said part, comprising: providing a previously manufactured composite part of the desired size and contour, to serve as a form for the pressure pad; applying uncured, heat curable elastomer to said part, to form on said part an uncured elastomeric member of desired thickness; heat curing said elastomeric member while it is on said part; and resizing the elastomeric member to correct for shrinkage caused by the heat curing, comprising: cutting the cured elastomeric member into sections; positioning the sections on the part, each on a region of the part to which it substantially conforms in size and shape; applying additional uncured elastomeric material to fill gaps between the sections and splicing the sections together; and heat curing the additional uncured elastomeric material while the elastomeric member is on the part, to unify the elastomeric member and substantially conform its inner surface to the contour of the part, enabling the member to be used as a pressure pad in the manufacture of additional parts of the same size and shape.