Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Padilla, D..
Manufacturing process precures components of composite panels prior to assembly. Process separately cures the graphite/epoxy skin, stiffener ribs, and stiffener grid. After curing, panels are assembled using special adhesive. With implementation of cost effective manufacturing techniques, uses of graphite-epoxy laminate panels may be found in other areas such as auto industry.
A perforated tube is housed in a chamber in which vacuum is drawn. An air jet is directed into one end of the tube and fiber bundles are fed into the jet which separates and dispenses individual fibers from the bundle, fluffs them, cleanses them of any particulate material, and carries them into the tube. The tube retains the fibers while fiber fragments, undesirably short fibers and particulate matter are drawn by the vacuum and resultant air flow out of the tube through its perforations to a suitable discharge.
Fiber bundles are dispersed and fibers are cleaned within enclosed container; therefore, safety clothing, masks, and eye protection are not required. Procedure also could be used wherever materials, such as fiberglass or insulation, require dispersion, fluffing, or cleaning. Process could be automated into continuous operation for handling large quantities of fiber.