Course Details

This course introduces students to the basic materials, tools, vocabulary, and safety practices used in the composites industry. Students will learn about various composite materials, chemicals, tools, and the procedures and processes of fabrication. Students will also learn proper shop etiquette and cleaning.

Students in this course will recognize the importance of molds and the part they play in shaping composite materials. Students will identify the various mold release agents used throughout the Composites industry. Students will also practice different mold release application methods. Students will demonstrate competency in applying mold release agents and apply these skills on their first composite part.

During this course, students will learn the terminology associated with non-vacuum and vacuum bag fabrication. Students will then learn about the reinforcement fabrics and resins common to the Composites industry. Students will become familiar in selecting appropriate materials, proper mixing of matrix materials, and vacuum bag and non-vacuum processes. Students will then demonstrate their acquired skills by producing Composite parts with non-vacuum and vacuum processing techniques.

Students in this course will learn about prepreg materials used in advanced composites. Student will also cover terminology, manufacture, storage and handling, hand lay-up, and oven and autoclave curing.

In this course, students will learn basic composite repair methods. Students will cover repair assessment, types of damage and repair, and replacing damaged composite materials. Students will then demonstrate their competency by repairing some of their previously built composite parts.

Introduction to Core Materials will cover the various core materials used in the composite industry. Throughout this course, you will identify these materials, their uses, and applications, as well as demonstrate proficiency by constructing several core structures.

In Part Finish, the steps necessary to produce a finished Composites part ready for final assembly will be explained. Students will explore surface preparation, sanding techniques, and priming and painting Composites parts. Students will demonstrate competency in composites part finish by applying acquired skills to finish their previously constructed parts.

Students in this course will complete a composite material build, including project planning, materials arrangement, construction, and completion while meeting agreed-upon specifications and time limitations. Before beginning the final project, students must submit blueprints of their final project, receiving approval from the instructor.

Students apply the correct mathematical operation to solve practical problems. Students use whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percents to solve practical problems. Students are introduced to the basics of measurement, geometry, averages, probability, patterns and simple equations.

Workplace Success is designed to help students develop essential work habits and attitudes as well as human-relation skills needed to maintain gainful and satisfying employment. Topics include common challenges faced in the workplace, such as presenting yourself professionally, developing a professional work ethic, developing interpersonal skills, navigating office politics successfully, and planning and managing your career.

Job Seeking Skills explores how to prepare and successfully apply to potential career opportunities. During this course, you will be presented with essential job-seeking skills needed to find gainful employment.

The Introduction to Blueprint Reading and CAD for Composites course is designed to help students develop and build familiarity with fundamental blueprint reading. Discussion concepts will include interpreting engineering drawings and using CAD to create simple drafts.

In this course, students will learn essential skills needed to successfully use a computer in school and at work. They will learn how to maneuver within the Windows environment through hands-on activities, including launching programs, working with Windows and the taskbar to enable multitasking, customizing the desktop, managing files, learning to use both a USB drive and the cloud for file storage, and finally, students will learn how to use the Internet to efficiently search for information on the Web and send and receive email.

In this course, students will create, format, and save documents. They will also be introduced to the Help feature, the spelling and grammar checker, the format painter, styles, and how to copy and move text in order to produce and enhance business documents.

Lean Manufacturing is used in many businesses and industries to minimize waste, reduce accidents, and operate in a more efficient manner. The main objective of Lean Manufacturing is the concept of continuous and incremental improvements to a product or process while eliminating wasteful or redundant activities. When waste can be identified and eliminated, a product can be built with more efficiency and higher quality in less time.

Students in this course will cover repair procedures specific to advanced composites. Students will demonstrate how to repair composite parts similar to those found in the aerospace industry. Students will then demonstrate proper structural repairs on parts previously built in other courses.

Practical Blueprint Reading is designed to introduce students to blueprint symbols, documentation, and part orientation, as they relate to composite manufacturing and fabrication. In this course, blueprint interpretation will be practiced through hands-on projects.

Students in this course are introduced to many aspects of machining composite materials. The basic tools for machining will be covered first, then followed by more advanced machining with the waterjet cutter. Students will also become fluent in the terminology and vocabulary associated with machining composites. Students will then demonstrate their competency by machining some of their previously made parts with specialized tools and then by using the waterjet cutting machine.

In this course, students will explore the various methods used in fabricating composite parts. Students will also use the tools, materials, and equipment used in alternative processing, as well as utilizing 3D printing to build a composite mold.

In this course, students will be introduced to the methods that are used to create composite tubing that is used frequently in many applications in the composites industry. Students will learn the basics of operating the fiber filament winder, rolling table, tape winder and mandrel puller. This will include proper preparation, handling, and care of mandrels and machinery. Students will learn how to create programs for winding filament on the filament winder as well as setting up and operating the rolling table. This will include determining how to measure the proper amount of material to cut for a mandrel used on the rolling table. Students will then demonstrate their competency by building approved parts on the filament winder and rolling table.

In this course, students will be introduced to the basics of how an autoclave operates, including the physical operations of the autoclave, the software that runs it, and safety issues associated with this type of equipment. Students will be presented with the terminology associated with autoclave operation. Students will also be introduced to the autoclave programming to the extent of being able to successfully cure a composite part. Students will demonstrate their competency by curing two parts: a predefined solid composite laminate and a predefined composite laminate with core materials.

Students in this course will fabricate a part from composite materials. Students will develop a working set of drawings for a bridge of their own design. Students will then fabricate that design with high strength to weight being the main objective. Student will also design and test strengths of different composite layups.

Carbon Skinning- or wrapping - is used only for cosmetic reasons. The beauty of the various weaves of carbon can make an otherwise unnoticed part become a focal point. In this course, the student will learn methods used to skin a part of their choice. Methods discussed will include part preparation, template making, drapability of fabrics, back wetting, building up resin as a finish top coat, finish sanding methods, and final polishing.

Pattern and mold making are essential skills for the Composites Technician who wants to create their own custom parts. Whether as an entrepreneur or employee, the ability to develop custom molds allows for the construction of almost limitless composite configurations. Students in this course will follow the mold-making process from start to finish by practicing pattern manufacturing, gel coat application, fiberglass reinforcing, mold troubleshooting and repair, and finishing and pulling a sample part from the mold.

The Composite Materials Technology program at Davis Technical College prepares students to work in industries such as aerospace, automotive, bridge building, marine, sporting goods, and parts assembly. This program introduces basic composite materials, techniques, and procedures and progresses through advanced composite skills. Students will demonstrate industry standards concerning safety, composite terminology, hand lay-ups, and composite inspection and repair. Our instructors are from the aerospace industry and have years of hands-on experience. Students who complete this program will be prepared for entry-level employment as a composite technician.