Tool and Method for Forming Contoured Composite Stringers Having Reduced Wrinkling
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsSteven Joseph Plummer, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Andrew Elmer Modin, Paul Chace Wilcoxson
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Abstract
A tool for making contoured composite hat stringers allows control of stringer wrinkling. The tool includes a set of first openings that allow the tool to flex during contouring of the stringer, and a set of second openings into which portions of the composite charge may strain during the contouring.
Claims20
A tool for forming a composite charge into contoured composite stringer, comprising:
- a tool body, the tool body being flexible and having a length,
- the tool body having a set of transversely extending first openings therein configured to allow the tool body to flex during forming of the composite charge,
- the tool body having a set of transversely extending second openings therein into which portions of the composite charge may strain during the forming.
A tool for forming a composite charge into a contoured stringer having a desired cross sectional shape, comprising:
- a punch configured to form the composite charge into a formed stringer having the desired cross sectional shape, and to contour the formed stringer along a length of the formed stringer,
- the punch having openings therein into which the composite charge may strain as the formed stringer is being contoured along its length.
A method of making a contoured composite stringer with reduced wrinkling, comprising:
- forming a flat composite charge into a stringer having a desired cross sectional shape using a tool;
- contouring the stringer, including flexing the tool;
- using a first set of openings in the tool to allow the tool to flex;
- and
- using a second set of openings in the tool to relieve stress in the composite charge during the contouring by allowing portions of the composite charge to strain into the second set of openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.