A review on the tooling technologies for composites manufacturing of aerospace structures: materials, structures and processes

Tools play key roles in determining the accuracy, performance and cost of composites structures manufacturing. The increasing desire in performance of composites components has required the close cooperation between industrial and academic sides to utilise and explore new developments in materials, structures and manufacturing technologies of tools, so as to provide lightweight, low cost, durable and functional tools for manufacturing high performance composites structures. Hence, this paper provides a review of the main solutions of tooling technologies development for composites in aerospace industry, trying to mediate the current gap between industry and academy. The progress in materials, structures and functionalities of tools for conventional and advanced composites manufacturing has been explored. The key and advanced manufacturing processes for tools have been reviewed. Finally, conclusions on the state-of-art and future trends of tooling technologies have been given, providing a guidance for tool design and manufacturing for advanced composites structures.

Automated summary

Tools are crucial in determining the accuracy, performance, and cost of composite structures manufacturing. Collaboration between industry and academia is necessary to explore new developments and provide lightweight, low cost, durable, and functional tools for high performance composite structures. Progress in materials, structures, and functionalities of tools for conventional and advanced composites manufacturing has been reviewed to bridge the current gap between industry and academia.