Leonardo Corporation

Alenia Aermacchi S.p.a.

Giuseppe Totaro

Gianni Iagulli

Marco Raffone

Alberto Russolillo

Tommaso Nanula

Luigi Avagliano

Pietrantonio Cerreta

A method for manufacturing a wing box for aircraft comprises the steps of arranging, on a curing surface, a first panel of composite material, alternately arranging, on the first panel, along a transverse direction, a rib of non-polymerized composite material and a tool comprising a central part, a bottom part and a top part, wherein the central part of each tool is interposed between said bottom part and the top part and may be extracted in a transverse direction, arranging a second panel of composite material by putting said second panel in contact with the flanges of each rib, pulling out the central part of each tool along the transverse direction and removing the top part and the bottom part of each tool, and subjecting the first panel, the second panel, and each rib to a curing process in autoclave with vacuum bag.

Method for manufacturing a multi-ribbed wing box of composite material with integrated stiffened panels

A method for manufacturing a wing-box for aircraft comprises: arranging, on a curing surface, a first panel of composite material comprising a skin a plurality of longitudinal stringers, and arranging, on each stringer, a caul plate; arranging, on the first panel, pluralities of support inserts so that each support insert rests on a respective caul plate, and on the skin of the first panel, and arranging, on the first panel, a plurality of ribs of non-polymerized composite material, each rib comprising a plate, a first pair of flanges and a second pair of flanges arranged at opposed ends of the plate, and having openings on an edge of the plate, by placing the respective first pair of flanges on the first panel and the respective plurality of openings on the plurality of support inserts, and having the first panel and the plurality of ribs undergo a curing process in autoclave with vacuum bag.

Method for manufacturing a multi-ribbed wing-box of composite material with integrated stiffened panels and communicating bays

Methods for manufacturing elongated structural elements are provided. Such methods provide composite material having optimal properties such as weight and strength which can be produced at much lower costs compared to conventional methods. Composite materials including such elements are also provided. In addition, commercial products incorporating such structural elements are provided.

Methods for manufacturing elongated structural elements of composite material

Methods of making single piece multi-spar boxes made of composite material for aircraft are provided. Such methods include providing outer spars of the boxes which are made with a C-shaped cross-section such that the spars, during curing, are molded on the inside onto rigid, outer, lateral forming tools. As a result it is possible to obtain very precise outer profiles and positions of the spars.

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Lucera, Italy

Giuseppe Totaro