Alenia Aeronautica S.p.a.

Alenia Aermacchi S.p.a.

Diego De Luca

Sabato Inserra Imparato

Luigi Avagliano

For an arcuate structural member () of a fuselage frame, tapes of resin pre-impregnated unidirectional fibers are used. The member () includes a web () lying in a radial plane and a radially outer cylindrical flange (). An elongate, arcuate forming mandrel (M) having a flat radial surface (F) forming an angular edge (D) with a radially outer, convex cylindrical surface (S) is used and a series of promontories (P) radiating outwardly with respect to the cylindrical surface (S) are provided. Layers of pre-impregnated composite material are laid on the mandrel (M) to form a first flat arcuate laminate ('), with a part (&#x2033;) of the laminate projecting radially outwardly beyond the angular edge (D). The mandrel (M), the laminate (&#x2032;) and the promontories (P) are covered with a membrane (E). A vacuum is then applied to urge the projecting part (&#x2033;) of the laminate against the cylindrical surface (S) and against the promontories (P). Contact of the projecting part (&#x2033;) with the cylindrical surface (S) near the promontories is prevented or retarded. Finally, discrete portions of the projecting part (&#x2033;) near the promontories are removed, obtaining peripheral cavities () spaced apart from one another.

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Torre Annunziata, Italy

Diego De Luca