Method For Fabricating A Curved Beam From Composite Material

Abstract

This invention concerns a method for fabricating a curved beam from fiber composite material. A flat fiber composite laminate (2) comprising a plurality of layers and at least two different fiber directions is formed. The fiber composite laminate (2) is disposed in contact with a male tool (1) comprised of a first flange (1a), a second flange (1c) and an intermediate web (1b), which male tool (1) is curved in its longitudinal direction with a radius of curvature R in such a way that the first flange (1a) has a shorter longitudinal extent than the second flange (1c). The fiber composite laminate (2) is brought into contact with and secured to the first flange (1a) of the male tool (1). The male tool (1) and the fiber composite laminate (2) are then rotated relative to one another so that the fiber composite laminate (2) is brought into contact with the intermediate web (1b) of the male tool (1) in a first rotational movement, and brought into contact with the second flange (1c) of the male tool (1) in a second rotational movement. The fiber composite laminate (2) hardens on the male tool (1), and the finished beam is separated from the tool (1). The invention also relates to a beam of fiber composite material fabricated according to the method.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.