| 摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus for producing a composite component having a variable thickness includes placing a caul member over a plurality of laid-up prepreg plies supported by a mold and curing the lay-up in an autoclave. The mold includes a cavity for receiving the lay-up that is defined by a bottom surface, a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and an open upper face surrounded by a mold edge. A support flange extends inwardly toward the center of the cavity from each of the walls at a predetermined distance upward from the bottom surface. The predetermined distance varies along the length of the mold and generally conforms to the outer profile of the composite component to be fabricated. The caul is positioned over the lay-up and defines a longitudinal axis extending along the length of the caul and a lateral axis extending along the width of the caul. The caul is made from an anisotropic material, such as a fiber reinforced composite, that is basically rigid about the lateral axis and flexible about the longitudinal axis. The mold, lay-up, and caul are vacuum bagged and placed in an autoclave for application of a predetermined cure cycle. As the component is cured, the caul flexes about the longitudinal axis and applies constant pressure along the length of the lay-up. The pressure draws the caul into engagement with the support flange resulting in the formation of a composite component having a variable thickness. <IMAGE></p> |
