复合材料工具设计与复合材料固化程序密切相关。通过使用专家系统技术，复合材料固化程序即将在工业上发生重大变化。一些关键变化包括:通过连接到工具和嵌入零件中的传感器，增加对工艺参数的实时监控，更厚的零件（厚度可达6-8英寸），更快的加热和冷却速度，以及消除制定工艺规范所需的时间。补救程序的一个关键含义是，必须摒弃过去通过试错设计工具的做法。必须采用更多的分析或专家系统技术。

COMPOSITE TOOL DESIGN IS INTIMATELY RELATED TO COMPOSITE CURING PROCEDURES. MAJOR CHANGES IN COMPOSITE CURING PROCEDURES THROUGH THE USE OF EXPERT SYSTEM TECHNIQUES ARE ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE IN INDUSTRY. SOME KEY CHANGES ARE: INCREASED MONITORING OF PROCESS PARAMETERS IN REAL-TIME THROUGH SENSORS ATTACHED TO TOOLING AND EMBEDDED IN PARTS, THICKER PARTS (UP TO 6-8 INCHES THICK), FASTER HEAT AND COOL DOWN RATES, AND ELIMINATION OF THE TIME REQUIRED TO DEVELOP A PROCESSING SPECIFICATION. A KEY IMPLICATION OF THE CURE PROCEDURE IS THAT THE PAST PRACTICE OF TOOL DESIGN BY TRIAL AND ERROR MUST BE DISCARDED. MORE ANALYTICAL OR EXPERT SYSTEM TECHNIQUES MUST BE ADOPTED.