Capabilities & Equipment  Research Projects  Partnerships   

CAPABILITIES & EQUIPMENT

Automated Manufacturing

  • Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) and Automated Tape Laying (ATL) of thermoset, thermoplastic and dry fiber material systems.
    • ElectroImpact System (AFP & ATL)
    • Coriolis System (AFP)
    • Automated Dynamics (ATL)
    • Laser and Humm3 heating options for thermoplastic materials
  • Slitting machine [coming soon]
  • Integrated 6 x 20-feet Vacuum Table [coming soon]
  • Industrial Press with Thermoplastic Capabilities [coming soon]
    • Integrated Robot, Infrared (IR) Oven, and Injection Molding Unit for Thermoplastics Press molding, Injection molding, and Over-molding
  • Thermoplastic Welding (coming soon)
    • Induction, Resistance, and Ultrasonic Welding
  • Autoclave
    • 13 x 26-feet with 800 deg-F / 200 psi Capability [coming soon]
    • In-situ Material State Monitoring Autoclave Control (MSMAC) with Wireless Temperature Sensors and Integrated Rheometers
    • [Access to 3 x 6-feet and 6 x 12-feet NIAR Autoclaves]

Computer-aided Simulations & Analysis

  • High-Performance Computing
  • Manufacturing Simulations
  • Process Modeling
  • Residual Stress and Failure Analysis
    • Discrete Damage Modeling
    • Continuum Damage Modeling for Progressive Failure Analysis
    • High Fidelity Analysis using Global-Local Approach

High-fidelity Inspections

  • Dual Tube Dual Detector X-Ray CT System
    • Micro-focus (up to 5µm resolution) & Mini-focus X-ray Tubes; X-ray Energies from 10kV- 450Kv; Flat Panel Detector & Linear Diode Array Detection Technology
    • In-Situ XCT Scanning with Load Fixture, Extensometer, and DIC
    • Capable of scanning large components up to 60 in diameter x 60 in tall nominal part envelope
  • Ultrasonic (MAUS)
    • Ultrasonic Pulse Echo testing, MIA Testing, Resonance Testing, Pitch Catch, Phased Array
  • Pulse Thermography
    • SC 4000/6000 FLIR Camera using Thermal Wave Imaging TSR Processing
    • 320x256 Detector; 59.94 Hz Camera Frequency
  • Acoustic Emission (16 Channel System)
  • Digital Image Correlation (Microscopic 5MP & Standard 29 MP) – 0.3x0.3-inch to 9x9-ft field of view

Structural Test & Evaluation

  • Electrodynamic Test System (670 lbf Max Capability at 200Hz)
  • Permanent Magnet Shakers for Modal & Structural Analysis
  • Planar Biaxial Testing (Axial: 55-kip / Torsion: ±10,000 in-lbf in)
  • Large-Scale Test Rig (6 x 38 x 16-feet test envelope)
    • 40 MTS Structural Actuators (Range: 10 – 110-kip)
    • MTS AeroPro™ Software and MTS FlexDAC™ 20 Data Acquisition System (40 Control Channels and 400+ Strain Channels)
    • Durability & Damage Tolerance Testing
    • Structural Health Monitoring
    • Aging Evaluations and Life Extension
    • Repair Evaluations
  • Training
    • Composite Manufacturing, Inspections, Repair, and Testing
    • High Fidelity Stress Analysis

HIGHLIGHTED RESEARCH PROJECTS

  • AFRL – Advanced Material Characterization and Structural Certification (MASC)
  • AFRL – Modeling for Affordable Sustainable Composites (AMCSC)
  • AFRL/Boeing – Composite Airframe Life Extension (CALE)
  • AFRL/Lockheed – Quantification of Aging from Long-term Exposure (QALE)
  • AFRL/Northrop – Fail-Safe Technologies for Bonded Unitized Composite Structures (FASTBUCS)
  • Army – Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (CCDC) – Rotorcraft Inspection and Repair, Composites Training, and Adhesive Characterization
  • FAA – Joint Advanced Materials & Structures (JAMS)
    • Certification Efficiency and Safety, Damage Tolerance of Composites, Inspection and Teardown of Aged In-Service Bonded Repairs, Structural joints (Adhesive and Thermoplastic Welds), and Sandwich Damage Growth
  • Navy – Novel Multi-scale/Multi-physics Integrated Tool for the Prediction of Manufacturing-Induced Defects in Autoclave Composite Airframe Parts
  • Navy – High-Fidelity Residual Strength and Life Prediction Tool for Adhesively Bonded Composite Structures
  • Navy – Innovative Analysis Tool for Damage Growth from Loaded Composite Fastener Holes
  • NASA – Advanced Composite Consortium (ACC)
    • Progressive Damage Analysis, Rapid Tools, and Laminate Cure Defects Process Model Development
  • NTSB Composite Aircraft Crash Investigations

CONSORTIUM MEMBERSHIPS AND RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS

  • Composite Materials Handbook (CMH-17)
  • FAA Joint Advanced Materials & Structures (JAMS)
  • Kansas Aviation Research & Technology (KART)
  • NASA Advanced Composite Consortium (ACC)
  • NASA In-Space Structural Composites Manufacturing
  • Navy Composites Manufacturing Technology Consortium (CMTC) - The Composite Consortium