Course OBJECTIVES

Task 1: Technical Competence "Demonstrations"

These one to two-day planned technical demonstrations are an overview of processes and manufacturing methods commonly utilized in the defense and aerospace industries. Each technical "demonstration" will provide the fundamentals of the process or manufacturing method. Explanations of the "know how" and "know why" of each process will be the focus. Participants will learn which process can be transferred to their business as well as how to apply this technology to specific manufacturing applications. The specific subjects to be covered as subtasks in this program are:

• Adhesive Bonding/Composite Materials
• Tooling Methods
• Low-Cost Tooling Methods
• Composite Prototyping
• Composite Core Materials
• Composite Repair
• Waterjet Machining Technology
• Reusable Vacuum Bagging
• Thermoplastic Composites

Task 2: Technical "Workshops"

Technical workshops: These three to four day technical "workshops" are devoted to delivering more detailed information about defense and aerospace manufacturing methods. In addition to in-depth instruction covering these composite manufacturing processes, "hands-on" activities will be conducted. Participants will get a "better feel" for these manufacturing processes and apply this to their business. The objective is to not only instill a thorough understanding of each process, but to actively apply these methods to business, enabling competitiveness in composites manufacturing.

• Bonding
• Tooling Development Methods
• Core Materials
• Repair
• Machining Technology
• Reusable Vacuum Bagging
• Thermoplastic Composites
• Injection Molding
• Compression Molding/Composites
• Filament Winding
• Composite Inspection
• Tooling Technologies

Task 3: Technology Transfer/Deployment

These tooling and product development program activities are not only designed to develop processes, materials and applications, but to provide "hands-on" experience actually fabricating prototype/production tooling, as well as new product development. These development activities take place in our Specialty Composite Center. Time is spent in the Composites Technology Center (CTC) to develop new skills and expertise, but most of the learning comes about as tools are actually fabricated and products developed. The following specialty composite areas will be the focus of new tool and new product development program activities for local business and industry, and will be addressed as subtasks in this program.

• Prototyping With Composites
• Reusable Vacuum Bag Prototype/Production Tooling
• Epoxy Tooling For the "FRP" Industry
• Spray Metal Tooling
• RTM Tooling
• Composite Tool/Design