The automation of current manufacturing technology for composite commercial airframe components has proven to be too costly. A collaborative research project was set up by British Aerospace Airbus with UK DTI funding to examine low cost composite airframe structures manufacture. The project examined and developed design approaches, materials processing and laminating/forming technology for the automation of large wing box components. Multi-axial non-crimp carbon fibre fabrics and a novel laminate processing technique were developed, providing a structurally viable alternative to the pre-preg approach. Automated techniques for high speed automation of laminating and forming were developed and a demonstrator manufacturing cell was set up to produce components. These were assembled using novel joining technology into test and demonstrator structures. Laminate mechanical performance results were nearly equivalent to or greater than for equivalent UD pre-preg composites in all cases except compression strength.
Innovative materials and manufacturing processes for the cost effective manufacture of composite airframe structures
1999
13 Seiten, 9 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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