Learn more about Smart Tools that act as Cauls in this core product overview.

Smart Tools that act as Cauls are a formable, reusable tooling solution for manufacturing composite parts with complex geometries that improve quality, reduce labor hours, decrease consumables, and increase throughput.

THE PROCESS

1. LAYUP – Composite can be laid-up by hand or automated equipment onto rigid Smart Tool or cure mold
2. CURE – Between 160-200°F, the Smart Tool becomes elastic & pressure is applied to compact the laminate
3. EXTRACT – Once cured & cooled, tension is released between the Smart Tool & the composite part. Smart Tool can also be extract hot
4. REFORM – Place Smart Tool into heated form mold, pull vacuum to reset geometry, and cool to begin next cycle

Smart Tools that act as cauls are manufactured to the composite inner mold line (IML) plus bulk factor o†set. Smart Tools are rigid at room temperature to provide a net shape, stable, lay-up surface for operators. After a release film is applied, composite material can be placed directly onto the Smart Tool. During cure, our Smart Tools that act as cauls become elastic and translate compaction pressure to compact the composite part against the cure mold, which controls the outside mold line part geometry eliminating trapped air/volatiles and excess resin to improve part quality. Smart Tools that act as cauls can be removed from the cured composite part(s) at room temperature, if not physically trapped, or heated above their activation temperature and removed in the elastic state. After demold the Smart Tool is then heated, reformed, and reused.

Smart Tools allow composite material to be laid up on the male Smart Tool and cured, eliminating the need to layup into angular female cavity cure molds that are prone to bridging and results in composite part porosity and resin rich areas.

We also deliver comprehensive solutions. We offer total solutions for the manufacture of your composite part, including custom tooling engineering and design, fabrication of molds, Smart Tooling fabrication, initial composite part manufacturing, custom standard operating procedures, onsite start-up support and training, and any future training if required.

Download this product sheet here or browse our of library of other product sheets and case studies here. For more information on how Smart Tools work and their applications, click here.