FREE FORM TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCING COMPOSITE PARTS Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, has invented a Free Form Technique for Producing Composite Parts (SD-5879). Sandia has developed, prototyped, and demonstrated the feasibility of a novel robotic technique for rapid fabrication of composite structures. Its chief innovation is that, unlike all other available fabrication methods, it does not require a mold. Instead, the structure is built patch by patch, using a rapidly reconfigurable forming surface, and a robot to position the evolving part. Both of these components are programmable, so only the control software needs to be changed to produce a new shape. Hence it should be possible to automatically program the system to produce a shape directly from an electronic model or CAD file. It is therefore likely that the method will enable faster and less expensive fabrication of composites. Sandia is making this technology available to companies interested in further developing and maturing this technology into a market-ready product. Licensees should also have a proven business development skills and acumen, and possess the financial capability to bring the technology to market. Successful licensees will, therefore, have a proven track record of securing funding, assembling multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers, and providing management structure to these teams during development and marketing. Successful licensees should also possess strong experience in patent law and the legal protection of inventions and technology in the United States and abroad. For further information, please respond by mail or fax to Joanne Trujillo no later than May 15, 1997, to: Sandia National Laboratories, MS 1380, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1380. Fax: (505) 843-4175. Please indicate the date and title of this CBD notice. E-MAIL: Joanne Trujillo, jmtruji@sandia.gov.

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