Method and device for manufacturing a structural element in composite material with a Z-shaped profile

Device for the manufacture of a structural element in composite material extending along a straight or curvilinear longitudinal direction, having a cross section Z-shaped with respect to the longitudinal direction comprising a plurality of layers of composite material and having, in its final configuration, a central web and two flanges extending at a given final angle from opposite end portions of the web in respective directions opposite to one another;

• said device comprising a forming mold having a shaped portion configured to support the plurality of layers of composite material, which are configured to be arranged on the shaped portion and to be laminated together on the shaped portion and in such a way that, in use, the web is arranged, at least partially, in its final configuration, that a first flange is arranged in its final configuration at said final angle with respect to the portion of the web arranged in its final configuration, and that a second flange is arranged in its initial configuration at an initial angle distinct from, and greater than, said final angle with respect to the portion of the web arranged in its final configuration;
• said device, and in particular said forming mold, comprising a fixed portion and a movable portion, which is movable with respect to the fixed portion, the portion fixed portion and the movable portion defining, together, said shaped portion, the shaped portion being defined partly by an external forming surface of the fixed portion and partly by an external forming surface of the movable portion;
• the second flange being configured to be arranged and laminated at the movable portion;
• said movable portion being configured to be moved from a rest position to a bending position to move the second flange from the initial configuration to the final configuration;
• and elastic return means interposed between the fixed portion and the movable portion and configured to be released from a deformed position to an undeformed position to drive the movement of the movable portion from the rest position to the bending position.