The Boeing Company
Molding system with removeable inserts restrained against vertical movement

Abstract:

A molding system for forming a composite structure having trapped volumes is presented. The molding system comprises a plurality of removeable inserts, a bottom tool member, and a plurality of restraints. Each removeable insert of the plurality of removeable inserts comprises a plurality of pieces configured to be disassembled for removal from the composite structure. Each removeable insert is configured to be placed in contact with the bottom tool member. The plurality of restraints is configured to restrain the plurality of removeable inserts in a vertical direction relative to the bottom tool member.