Revolutionary Tooling Solutions
Smart Mandrels™
| Smart Mandrels RT | Smart Mandrels 250 | |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 113°F | Up to 250°F | Cure Temp |
| 203°F to 275°F | 300°F to 350°F | Forming/Demold Temp |
| Up to 275°F | Up to 350°F | Max Use Temp |
| 80% | 40% | Elongation |
| Conforms to any contour | Moldable to near-net shape | Advantage |
The Process
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Heat
A Smart Mandrels blank is heated above its transition temperature and placed in a clamshell mold.
Inflate & Cool
Above its transition temperature, the flexible mandrel is pushed against the mold using interior air pressure. The mandrel is cooled in its new shape.
Lay-up
The rigid mandrel is removed from the mold and coated with a mold release. The mandrel is used to make a composite part.
Cure
The composite part is cured below the mandrel's transition temperature.
Extract
The mandrel is heated above its transition temperature to recover its original shape, then extracted.