Process for manufacturing a stiffener of composite material

A device for manufacturing a composite material stiffener having an inside concave surface from a flat strip comprising at least one layer of fibers, the device comprising:

• a table on which the flat strip rests across, the table comprising a means for heating the strip;
• a rotary mandrel arranged close and parallel to an edge of the table and having an outside surface of which at least one part corresponds to an inside surface of the stiffener to be produced;
• a means for connecting a first lateral edge of the strip to the rotary mandrel so as to cause winding and deforming of the strip on the mandrel during rotation of the mandrel;
• and
• a means for exerting tension at a second lateral edge of the strip in a direction opposite to a movement direction of the strip caused by said winding on the rotary mandrel, the means for exerting tension extending along the second lateral edge of the strip at an edge of the table opposite to the mandrel,
• wherein said device is operable for manufacturing the stiffener by steps of:
• heating the strip by the heating means;
• connecting the first lateral edge of the strip to the rotary mandrel;
• and
• rotating the mandrel so as to cause said winding and deforming of the strip on the mandrel while exerting said tension at the second lateral edge of the strip.