Abstract
Abstract
A novel approach for the affordable manufacture of carbon fibre composite aircraft secondary structures through vacuum infusion moulding is presented. The requirements for a low-cost preforming process for optimized carbon fibre composite component processing by vacuum infusion techniques are discussed. A novel technique termed high-speed tape laying is described. The process involves the laying of unidirectional fibre tapes, stabilized with a powdered resin binder using an automated gantry and a tape deposition head. Each stage of the automated process for manufacture of preforms for a complete integrated moulding for a demonstrator aircraft aileron is described. The resin transfer moulding (RTM) type process for the aileron demonstrator is described, which is cost modelled compared with conventional RTM technology. This shows a cost reduction of 20 per cent.
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