Device and method for shaping a blank for the formation of a structural thermoplastic part

A shaping device for shaping a blank, said shaping device comprising:

• a support member having a surface defining a plane and a longitudinal axis, the support member is configured for supporting a blank for use as a structural thermoplastic part;
• a heating member having a heat source for heating the blank;
• a first module comprising a frame and a roller connected to a first pressing member located at a first end of the heating member;
• a second module comprising a frame and a roller connected to a second pressing member located at a second end of the heating member, said second module further comprising an inclination member attached to an adjustable cylinder for incrementally changing an angle of inclination of the inclination member from a first angle relative to the plane of the support member to a second angle relative to the plane of the support member and to a third angle relative to the plane of the support member, the inclination member is configured to adjust an inclination of at least one portion of the blank from a first blank angle to a second blank angle and to a third blank angle when the inclination member is adjusted from the first angle relative to the plane to the second angle relative to the plane and to the third angle relative to the plane during operation of the shaping device to shape the structural thermoplastic part from a starting shape to a final shape;
• and
• a displacement system connected to the frame of the first module, the heating member, and the frame of the second module for moving the two frames and the heating member relative to the support member.

A method for shaping a blank, usable as a structural thermoplastic part to be integrated in a primary structure of an airplane, the blank comprising reinforcing fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix, the method comprising the steps:

• placing the blank on a support member, the support member extending along a longitudinal axis;
• heating a local portion of the blank to a temperature making it possible to melt the thermoplastic matrix of the blank, the blank comprising a longitudinal portion located on the support member;
• the heating member comprising an upper wall and two sidewalls defining a cavity oriented towards the support member, each of said two sidewalls being oriented at an angle of inclination relative to the upper wall;
• modifying an inclination of at least one part of the longitudinal portion of the blank with an inclination member according to an angle of inclination of the inclination member, said angle of inclination defined with respect to a horizontal plane transverse to a longitudinal axis to successively change the angle of inclination during the modifying step from a first angle relative to the horizontal plane at time1 to a second angle relative to the horizontal plane at time2, and to a third angle relative to the horizontal plane at time3, and wherein time1, time2, and time3 are representative of different moments in time;
• and
• displacing the heating member and the inclination member relative to the support member to modify the inclination of the at least one part of the longitudinal portion of the blank according to the angle of inclination of the inclination member.