Net Shape Forming of Composite Stringers Containing Out-Of-Plane Features
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsSteven Joseph Plummer, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Andrew Elmer Modin, Raviendra S. Suriyaarachchi, Megan E. Bliss
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Abstract
A tool is configured to form a composite charge into a stringer having a net shape with at least one out-of-place feature. The out-of-plane feature is formed by a shim removably attached to the tool. A family of the shims may be used to form a range of out-of-plane features having varying characteristics.
Claims20
Apparatus for making a composite stringer having at least one out-of-plane feature, comprising:
- a die including a die cavity;
- a tool configured to form a composite charge into the die cavity;
- and
- a shim attached to the tool and configured to form an out-of-plane feature in the composite stringer as tool forms the composite charge into the die cavity.
Apparatus for making a composite stringer, comprising:
- a punch;
- a die into which a composite charge may be formed by the punch;
- and
- a family of shims respectively configured to form differing features in the composite charge,
- each of the shims being configured to be releasably attached to the punch.
A method of making a composite stringer having an out-of-plane feature to net shape, comprising:
- installing a shim on a tool;
- and
- forming a composite charge into a composite stringer using the tool, including using the shim to form an out-of-plane feature in the composite charge as the composite charge is formed by the tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.