Accudyne Systems automated tool wrapper continues to deliver

After more than eight years of operation, Accudyne's Automated Tool Wrapper continues to provide the means for automatically wrapping prepreg fabric around elastomeric tools used for the Boeing 787. The tools range from 6 to 15 meters (18.8 to 50 ft) in length. The tool and material are manually positioned in the die. The machine then automatically wraps the tool using a set of articulating surfaces to form the inner and outer folds. Heating under pressure of the overlapping plies followed by cooling produces a seal to hold the wrap in place around the tool. The part is automatically ejected from the mold for removal by the operator. The total wrapping and sealing process takes less than three minutes. The machine was built for two different tool configurations and requires only ten seconds to complete the automatic die change.