Patent ID: 11858179
Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A method of manufacturing a component, comprising:
forming a thermally expanding mandrel using an expanding material composition, wherein the expanding material composition comprises rubber particles and plaster, wherein the thermally expanding mandrel includes at least one surface feature that forms a corresponding surface feature on an interior surface of the component which is defined by a variation in a wall thickness of the component, and wherein the at least one surface feature of the thermally expanding mandrel includes at least one of a protrusion, bump, indentation, or dimple;
applying carbon fiber component material to the thermally expanding mandrel;
inserting the thermally expanding mandrel into a molding tool;
closing the molding tool;
applying heat to the thermally expanding mandrel and the molding tool during a period of time, wherein the thermally expanding mandrel expands and the carbon fiber component material cures to form the component including the corresponding surface feature on the interior surface of the component during the period of time;
opening the molding tool after the period of time;
removing the component from the molding tool; and
washing out the thermally expanding mandrel from the component.