Alenia Aeronautica S.p.a.

Giovanni Lanfranco

Sabato Inserra Imparato

Vincenzo De Vita

Massimo Riccio

Giovanni Sagnella

Nicola Miani

A method of manufacturing a wing structure includes laying a plurality of layers of preimpregnated material on a first mould half and on a second mold half so as to form a first fresh skin and a second fresh skin of the wing structure. A plurality of layers of preimpregnated material are laid in succession on a shaped apparatus to form a fresh leading edge skin of the wing structure. Fresh spars of preimpregnated material are formed. A wedgelike body of expanded plastics material is formed, this body being designed to be interposed between the first and second skins at the trailing edge of the wing structure. The fresh spars are positioned in a coordinated way on the first fresh skin, removable support members also positioned next to the spars. The second mold half is turned over on to the first mold half so as to position the second fresh skin on the spars and the supports, to produce a fresh wing structure. The fresh wing structure is subjected to a polymerization cycle, using a vacuum bag.

Method of manufacturing an integral profile monolithic wing structure

In order to manufacture beams of composite material with a J-shaped cross-section, a curing apparatus includes a bar supported parallel to a table by two end supports. A J-shaped beam of uncured composite material is prepared and arranged on the apparatus, positioning the bottom flange of the beam so that it faces the table and resting the web and the upper flange against two respective sides of the bar. The beam is covered with a vacuum bag and pressure and heat are applied inside an autoclave in order to cure the resin in the beam.

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Villanova d'Asti, Italy

Giovanni Lanfranco