New AirCor™ technology offers benefits of strength, lightweight and low cost.
INGLEWOOD, Calif., September 25, 2002 - Foam Matrix today announced a new composite structural technology called AirCor™ for creating strong, lightweight structures. AirCor is unique in that it can produce large hollow composite structures in a single manufacturing step. These structures are typical of aircraft wing or control surface structures and can also be used to produce "wet wings" with internal fuel tanks, or dry equipment bays.
A photo accompanying this release is available online.
Similar to the company's Foam Matrix Core System™ (FMC) technology, AirCor structures are constructed using composite materials and foam cores. Unlike FMC structures, the foam core is completely removed after cure, using proprietary methods, leaving a cavity within the structure. AirCor technology structures can integrate pressure fittings, attachments and mechanical fittings into the structure, eliminating secondary assembly steps. This is an ideal method for making a single-piece composite fuel tank in the shape of a wing or typical aircraft structure.
Kent Sherwood, president of Foam Matrix, stated, "Our customers really like the low-part count production step that we've used for Foam Matrix Core structures. They've now asked if we can improve on that same basic technology to incorporate integral fuel tanks and equipment bays within the components. Air Core is the result of our development work to satisfy this requirement."
Sherwood added, "I am confident that this new technology will find many more applications in unmanned or other aerospace platforms."
Michael Kramer, Foam Matrix' vice president, said "In my experience in aerospace, structures like this would be impossible to build using honeycomb technology. Our new AirCor technology eliminates the cost, durability and manufacturing penalties typically involved with conventional honeycomb structures."
Kramer continued, "The AirCor system allows thick structures without faying surface bonds. Initial indications show that this construction method is more durable, lighter weight and significantly lower cost than conventional composite or metallic structures."
Several test articles undergoing initial testing prove AirCor technology's ability to maintain liquids or gases under pressure within the composite cavity. Strength and structural integrity are maintained under loads approximating those of actual flight conditions.
The new derivative technology has been under development for the last 18 months. Foam Matrix has applied for patents to protect the new technology.
About Foam Matrix:
Located in Inglewood, California, Foam Matrix Inc, an AS-9100 certified company, is a leading supplier of wings for unmanned aircraft, including Boeing's X-45A UCAV demonstrator. Foam Matrix develops high quality, extremely cost-efficient composite structures for a variety of aerospace and commercial applications. The company's patented FMC System™ produces structural core systems that can be designed to meet unique integration, performance and cost requirements. Foam Matrix received a 2002 Supplier Innovation Award from The Boeing Company's Phantom Works Division. More information on Foam Matrix is available on the company's website at www.foammatrix.com.
AirCor Foam Matrix Core System and FMC System are trademarks of Foam Matrix, Inc.
