Method for eliminating radius wrinkles in composite laminates

A method of manufacturing a composite part, the method comprising:

• laying up composite material on male tooling or female tooling in a configuration with two flanges extending at a first angle relative each other and with a curved or radiused corner extending between the two flanges of the composite material;
• changing an orientation of one or both of the two flanges of the composite material, such that the two flanges extend at a second angle relative each other, wherein the second angle is smaller than the first angle, wherein changing the orientation includes transferring the composite material to another male or female tooling, removing or inserting a wedge insert between one of the two flanges and the male tooling or female tooling, or actuating at least one surface of the male tooling or the female tooling;
• and
• compressing the composite material at the second angle before, after, or during the step of changing the orientation, thereby consolidating the composite material;
• and
• curing the composite material in an autoclave or oven.

A method of manufacturing a composite part, the method comprising:

• laying up composite material on male tooling or female tooling in a configuration with two flanges extending at a first angle relative each other and with a curved or radiused corner extending between the two flanges of the composite material, wherein the composite material is composite laminate composed of a plurality of composite plies stacked together during the laying up step;
• changing an orientation of one or both of the two flanges of the composite material, such that the two flanges extend at a second angle relative each other, wherein the second angle is smaller than the first angle, wherein changing the orientation includes transferring the composite material to another male or female tooling, removing or inserting a wedge insert between one of the two flanges and the male tooling or female tooling, or actuating at least one surface of the male tooling or the female tooling via temperature-activated materials, electromechanical actuation, pneumatic actuation, or hydraulic actuation;
• and
• compressing the composite material via vacuum bagging and inducing a pressure differential driving a vacuum bag against an outer ply of the composite laminate before, after, or during the step of changing the orientation, thereby consolidating the composite material;
• and
• curing the composite material in an autoclave or oven.