Patent ID: 9579875
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: B29C,B32B,Y02T,Y10T

Claim:
1. An apparatus comprising: a first tool for forming a composite part, the first tool comprising a first pin associated with the first tool; a second tool for forming a tooling plate, wherein the second tool comprises a second pin from a surface of the second tool and a third pin extending from the surface of the second tool; the tooling plate configured for use with the first tool to form the composite part, wherein the tooling plate comprises a first number of layers of composite material and a second number of layers of composite material; a tab co-bonded with the tooling plate and extending from a first end of the tooling plate, wherein the tab is located between the first number of layers of composite material and the second number of layers of composite material prior to co-bonding the first number of layers of composite material, the second number of layers of composite material, and the tab; a spacer configured to support the tab during co-bonding of the tab and the tooling plate, the spacer comprising: a set of clearance holes configured to accommodate the second pin and the third pin; and a spacer thickness that allows the tab to rest on a coplanar surface, wherein the spacer thickness is substantially the same as a thickness of the first number of layers of composite material; and a group of alignment features associated with the tab and formed prior to co-bonding the tab and the tooling plate, wherein the group of alignment features comprises: a first alignment feature configured to position the tooling plate with respect to the first tool and a second alignment feature configured to position the tab with respect to the second tool, wherein the first alignment feature comprises a first opening configured to receive the first pin, wherein the second alignment feature comprises a second opening configured to receive the second pin.