Forming a composite reinforcement preform

摘要

An assembly and method for manufacturing a composite reinforcement perform for unitizing a structure are provided. The assembly includes a base 34 having a plurality of pins 32 extending outwardly from the base to define a structure about which a composite fiber is wound to define a composite reinforcement perform 14. The assembly also includes a plurality of mandrels 36 positioned adjacent to the base 32 and at least a portion of the composite reinforcement preform. A cap 40 is positioned over at least a portion of the plurality of mandrels 36 to engage each of the mandrels to support the mandrels and the composite reinforcement preform during a curing process to form the composite reinforcement. The backside of each mandrel has a tapered surface extending along it. The cap comprises as tapered surface corresponding with each of the tapered surfaces on the mandrels. The taper may be 5 degrees. Each mandrel may comprise a key or keyway 38 configured to mate with a keyway or key 45 defined in the cap.