Alenia Aermacchi S.p.a.

Alenia Aeronautics S.p.a.

Pietrantonio Cerreta

Gianni Iagulli

Sabato Inserra Imparato

Giuseppe Totaro

Luigi Avagliano

Angela Natale

Paolo Ruggiero

Domenico Cozzolino

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.

Methods of manufacturing single piece multi-spar boxes of composite material in a closed mould

A vacuum bag () is placed around the inner forming surface (IML) of an inner mandrel with radially retractable sectors () having parallel longitudinal slots () with composite stringers () in the slots (). An inner support () in each stringer is covered by an impermeable tubular bag (). A composite skin () is laminated around the stringers (), the coated supports () and the inner forming surface (IML). An outer curing tool () closes around the skin () defining an fuselage barrel outer forming surface (OML), leaving an annular gap (G) between the skin outer surface () and the outer forming surface (OML). Vacuum is applied between the vacuum bag () and the outer tool (), enlarges the uncured barrel diameter, releasing the barrel from the inner mandrel () and bringing the skin outer surface () into contact with the outer tool inner surface (IML).

Method of manufacturing single piece fuselage barrels in composite material

Gripping claws and pairs of arched angular profiles are arranged along the perimeter of a cylindrical surface segment so as to grip the edges of a fuselage panel, closing the opening of a pressurizable chamber.

Apparatus for testing fuselage panels

Growing community of inventors

Naples, Italy

Pietrantonio Cerreta