Mandrel Extractor

Ratio Made Inc.

Challenge:

Small diameter composite tubes require significant force to demold from the mandrel once cured.

Existing mandrel extractors are costly and require the use of custom machined mandrels.

Methods:

• Used design matrix to narrow concepts to cam-locking carriage on a long beam.

• Preformed hand calculations for locking plate angle given beam size and load offset.

• Detailed design of all assembly components in SolidWorks, including drawings for manufacture.

• Fabrication processes used: wire EDM, laser cut, heat treat, welding, milling, 3D printing.

• Measured demolding force with custom-built load cell jig to select pneumatic cylinder for upgrade.

Results:

• Novel mandrel extractor designed and delivered ahead of schedule and at half the cost of existing versions.

• Allowed for use of off-the-shelf linear motion shafts as mandrels for layup, saving critical lead time and overhead on new prototypes.

• Production task time for demolding reduced by >70% compared to previous methods.