The feasibility of using a robotic system to filament wind complex shapes with advanced composite materials is examined. commercially availabel filament winding machines are expensive and limite-symmetric families of shapes. they require the mandrel (wrapping form) to rotate as a means of dispensing… More

Fabrication of advanced composites includes many processes, some are automated, others are entirely manual. robotic winding systems (rows) was invented by the principleinvestigator in an attempt to create an automated technique of laying up pre-impregnated material around a form with complex shape.… More

This project involves the development of a new technique for the generation of complex three-dimensional structures directly from a cad/cam database without the need for preliminary processes (molds) or subsequent machining (the parts are fabricated to net shape). the innovation is to use… More

This proposal offers to design and fabricate a universal end-effector which can provide torque feedback while openingor closing valves. the end-effector would be especially useful in hazardous or emergency situations where human presence is precluded. the design will be a modification of a machine… More

It has been recognized by this firm that fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites materials offer cost and performance advantages compared to conventional thermosetting materials. the industry is going to be faced with searching for three dimensional fabrication techniques that are automated and… More

Robotic end effectors are required to perform many tasks that involve both power and signal transfer across the wristjoint. using cables to provide both signals and power limits rotation of the wrist, decreases reliability and interferes with arm motion in restricted workspaces. the piproposes to… More

Automated Dynamics Corporation (ADC) proposes to extend the use of the thermoplastic composite in-situ consolidation process beyond fabrication of cylinders to open-section structural components. The thermoplastic in-situ consolidation process is an emerging out- of-autoclave processing technology… More

Automated Cynamics Corporations (ADC) proposes to exploit its knowledge of automated in-situ consolidation of thermoplastic carbon fiber unidirectional tape to reduce the high scrap rate currently experienced in the in the fabrication of thermoset (epoxy) carbon fiber sabots. The current… More

Eight years of developing fiber placement technologies at Automated Dynamics Corporation (ADC) has resulted in robust manufacturing process for commercial and applications. In-situ consolidation technologies have been adapted for sporting good products, down hole piping, and industrial rolls… More

Automated Cynamics Corporations (ADC) proposes to exploit its knowledge of automated in-situ consolidation of thermoplastic carbon fiber unidirectional tape to reduce the high scrap rate currently experienced in the in the fabrication of thermoset (epoxy) carbon fiber sabots. The current… More

Light weight, low cost structures is the direction that many aerospace companies are working toward. Our objective in this Phase I program is to demonstrate our low cost effective manufacturing methods with thermoplastic composites while maintaining structural integrity. A continuous graphite… More

xxxIn-situ fiber placement is able to offer a wide and robust processing approach that is well suited for many aerospace structures. Flat, single curvature and large radius complex curvature parts can be effectively handled with the current in-situ techniques. However, there are limitations… More

Commonly, composite rotor blade spars are fabricated by hand layups or other non-optimized, not fully automated procedures. These methods are labor intensive and require many de-bulking steps, making them expensive. The results are often inconsistent due to the nature of work done by hand. In our… More

Increased performance and reduced cost structures, is the direction many aerospace companies work toward. Our objective in Phase I is to demonstrate our automated in-situ fiber placement processing technology can provide low cost manufacturing methods with thermoplastic composites while maintaining… More

Optimize process to meet the specifications and challenges associated with the UH-1 tail boom. This will entail performing testing and evaluation of the factors deemed most relevant. This could include, but is not limited to material property testing, tooling design, tooling trials, in-situ… More

Automated fiber placement (AFP) of thermoplastic (TP) composite jackets around large caliber gun barrels and railgun cores has enabled a dramatic increase in lethality while meeting aggressive maneuver requirements. Automated Dynamics has played a central role in the development of TP AFP… More

Automated fiber placement (AFP) of thermoplastic (TP) composite jackets around large caliber gun barrels and railgun cores has enabled a dramatic increase in lethality while meeting aggressive maneuver requirements. Automated Dynamics has played a central role in the development of TP AFP… More

Drive shafts for aerospace platforms are highly loaded, stressed, fatigued, and without question must maintain their operational capabilities. A component of this importance requires a material and design that provides not only a solution to stringent design criteria, but also a high level of… More

This SBIR program specifically focuses in on innovative approaches to overcome the limitations associated with both the non-conformity of the rigid steel consolidation roller as well as building upon the individual tow control functionality of thermoplastic processing heads. Our main objective… More

This project will build on a substantial body of empirical research to develop and validate multiscale models of ultrasonic bonding during tape placement of metal matrix composite (MMC) structures. Experiments to-date have been guided by knowledge of the ultrasonic bonding of metals heuristically… More

Carbon fiber/PEEK thermoplastic composite has advantages over both thermoset based composites and metals in the areas of weight, damage tolerance, and manufacturing costs while maintaining solvent and temperature resistance. It is proposed that substituting the existing aluminum driveshafts with… More