• To learn the health and safety issues and environmental regulations that currently relate to a composites manufacturing facility and where to find out how these change over time.
• To be able to implement process improvement (lean) methodologies
• To be able to fabricate fiber reinforced, polymer composite products using a variety of processes and to know which/how variables affect the processing and product performance.
• To be able to use a number of finishing techniques common to the fabrication of composite products.
• To be able to use joining methods common to the fabrication of composite products.
• To be able to work effectively in a project team.

Topics Covered

• Threshold limit values, Permissible Exposure Limits, Safety Data Sheets, OSHA's Right to Know
• EPA regulations (RCRA, TSCA, CERCLA, CWA, CAA)
• Lean concepts (flow, customer value, waste, 5S, value stream map)
• Manufacturing processes (extrusion, injection molding, wet lay-up vacuum bagging laminates and sandwich structures, prepreg lay-up autoclave processing, infusion, pultrusion, filament winding)
• Finishing techniques (cutting, drilling, sanding)
• Joining methods (adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding)