Hybrid Technology: Constructing Components Using Additive and Composite Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) is bringing new innovations to traditional methods of manufacturing. AM is now being used to manufacture composite tooling, saving composite manufacturers cost and lead time over traditional tooling methods and materials. Composite tooling is typically an expensive process, due to the materials required to survive the various manufacturing processes involved. Tooling is exposed to excessive temperatures, pressures, and forces, causing tools to be unusable after a period of time. Manufacturing problems like warpage can render an expensive tool useless. This course will inform composite manufacturers about which AM methods, materials, and optimization techniques can be used to substitute traditional tooling. It will also cover the various composite manufacturing methods that can take advantage of additive tooling, and how to verify that the tooling will be appropriate for the design manufacturing process.