Composite Material Manufacturing Lab (VEC 121)

The Autoclave laboratory is equipped with a high temperature autoclave with temperature range up to 800 deg. F. and up to 415-psi pressure. The working dimensions of the autoclave are 5’x 3’. The whole unit is computer controlled and the operator can build his own cure cycle according to the needs. The autoclave is also equipped with 18 thermocouples and 8 vacuum ports. Other equipment in this lab includes a stitching machine and a freezer for storing epoxy. This laboratory was used during the past several years to cure high temperature composite panels for the above-mentioned HSR and ACT programs. Several students were employed as lab assistants during these programs. This facility also was used during our summer training programs to manufacture various products such as golf clubs, bicycle racks, surfboards and boats. Our students have also used this facility to manufacture a composite wing box as part of the capstone design course (AE 478)