TM 1-1500-204-23-11
REPAIR EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
3-1. GENERAL. This chapter describes the shop
or other material. The blade must be in good condition
tools, hand tools, vacuum bagging consumables, and
and have the correct cutting geometry for the material
ancillary supplies that are necessary for composite
being cut. Machine and blade suppliers can provide
repairs. A complete list of tools, equipment and
useful handbooks on saw operations.
consumable items can be found in Appendix B.
e. Bandsaw. When machining cured composites
3-2. SHOP TOOLS. This paragraph identiies the
on a bandsaw, a low speed should be used with
tools found in the composite shop set or at intermediate
the appropriate blade for the speciic material being
level shops. Refer to TM 1-1500-204-23-10, Chapter
cut. When cutting expanded honeycomb, a highspeed
3 for more information regarding shop tools.
bandsaw must be used to overcome the tendency for
the material to be pushed away from the blade. The
best cutting performance can only be achieved if the
a. Downdraft Table. A downdraft table is an
guides and blade tension are properly adjusted. The
eficient and economical device for protecting workers
blade must be in good condition and have the correct
from harmful dust caused by sanding and grinding
cutting geometry for the material being cut. The saw
operations. The tables are also useful housekeeping
blade must be sharp and in good condition. The throat
tools as the majority of particulate material generated
of the saw table must be in good condition as well.
by machining operations is immediately collected for
A piece of wood can be used as a sacriicial throat.
disposal. Downdraft tables should be sized and
Saw speed should be relatively high and feed rates
maintained to have an average face velocity between
should be determined by the laminate coniguration,
100 and 150 cubic feet per minute (ft/min) across
thickness, and the complexity of the cut. Machine
the top surface. The table will draw contaminants like
and blade suppliers can provide useful handbooks on
dust and ibers away from the operators breathing
bandsaw operations.
zones. Downdraft tables should be monitored and
ilters changed on a regular basis to provide maximum
(1) Bandsaw Blades. To cut solid composite
protection and particulate collection. The further work
is performed away from the top of the table the less
materials, the saw blade must be abrasive carbide
useful the downdraft feature will be. Downdraft tables
grit or diamond grit and in good condition. Do not use
are available in a full range of sizes to it every space
tooth-type blades except for cutting aramids, in which
and need.
case you install the blade so the teeth point up. Saw
speed and material feed rates should be relatively
low. A noncontaminating wax or liquid cutting lubricant,
b. Drill Press. Standard, manual drill presses of
such as water, will prolong blade life. Feed rates
the type found in most sheet metal or wood shops are
are affected by laminate coniguration, thickness, and
generally adequate for composites. More sophisticated
complexity of the cut; consult the blade manufacturer
types may be utilized depending on the system speciic
to determine proper speed and feed rates for your
requirements. A 1/2 inch chuck is suitable for most
application. Preferably an alternating toothed blade
operations.
designed for aramid cutting with 14 teeth per inch
should be used (see igure 3-1). Cutting expanded
c. Refrigerator. Refrigerators are used to store
honeycomb, either aluminum or aramid, is usually
laminating resins and paste adhesives and should be
done with a special high speed bandsaw with a blade
kept near 40 F. A household refrigerator should be
speed of 16,000 feet per minute. DuPont has provided
suficient except where special storage needs exist.
special instructions for cutting aramids. Honeycomb
If lammable resin storage is required, the refrigerator
blades should not be used to cut anything else as
must be designed for lammables in accordance with
the blade teeth will be blunted and the special tooth
National Fire Protection Standard 30. Consult with
offset will not provide enough clearance to remove
the local safety ofice to determine speciic refrigerator
scarf when cutting solid materials.
requirements. The refrigerator temperature should be
monitored and recorded.
d. Circular or Table Saw. Ensure the proper blade
is installed in the saw prior to cutting cured composites
