| AFRL managed the effort, and A&P Technology, Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio), executed
it. Scientists use the work cell, known as the Mantis, in the development of
many applications, because hybrid composites composed of braid and filament
winding have significantly higher resistance to buckling and flange bending than do
conventional fabric composites. The team developed an affordable process based
on combining braid and filament winding capabilities in a single work cell. Scientists
will use the successful technology development to provide stronger military and
commercial products. The technology has already strengthened the fabrication of
the composite exhaust shroud for the General Electric F110 engine. |
|
Prior to the program’s initiation, scientists completed braiding and filament winding processes on separate machines, which required removal from one machine to the next and shipment to separate facilities. This caused extended processing time and increased costs related to hybrid composite manufacturing. The team focused on the improvement of manufacturing process efficiency by combining both the braiding and filament winding processes and the machines used for
the two processes. The consolidation of the two processes into a single hybrid
machine allows for significant process improvements and cost savings.
This successful testing led the team to explore further development efforts and resulted in the Mantis work cell, which is an integrated, multiaxis, hybrid braiding machine that provides a mature, repeatable manufacturing process. The Mantis work cell is an ideal technology for the production of nonlinear parts such as ducts and fuselage ribs, and the technology also has potential in the commercial manufacturing of automotive parts, medical prosthetics, sports equipment such
as hockey sticks and tennis rackets, and recreation equipment such as bicycle components. |
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