Wrinkle control method and tool therefor
First Claim
1. A method for forming a composite spar comprising:
- a) providing an elongate tool having a moulding surface comprising an edge and a corner and a recess and/or protrusion wrinkle control feature in the moulding surface extending from the edge and tapering toward the corner;
b) arranging a stack of ply layers on the moulding surface of the tool;
c) moulding the stack of ply layers over the moulding surface in a moulding process; and
d) curing the stack of ply layers to form a composite spar;
wherein the wrinkle control feature cooperates with the stack of ply layers during the moulding process to produce a local surface undulation only in the surface of the stack of ply layers moulded against the moulding surface that either prevents wrinkling in the ply layers or initiates wrinkling in one or more of the ply layers at a predetermined location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for forming a laminate component, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a tool having a molding surface; b) arranging a stack of ply layers on the molding surface of the tool; and c) molding the stack of ply layers over the molding surface in a molding process, wherein the tool has a wrinkle control feature in its molding surface for managing the development of wrinkle in the ply layers during the molding process, and wherein the wrinkle control feature cooperates with the stack of ply layers during the molding process to produce a local surface undulation in a nominal surface of the laminate component nearest the tool to either prevent wrinkling in the ply layers or initiate wrinkling in one or more of the ply layers at a predetermined location. Also, a tool having a wrinkle control feature, and a laminate component so formed.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for forming a composite spar comprising:
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a) providing an elongate tool having a moulding surface comprising an edge and a corner and a recess and/or protrusion wrinkle control feature in the moulding surface extending from the edge and tapering toward the corner; b) arranging a stack of ply layers on the moulding surface of the tool; c) moulding the stack of ply layers over the moulding surface in a moulding process; and d) curing the stack of ply layers to form a composite spar; wherein the wrinkle control feature cooperates with the stack of ply layers during the moulding process to produce a local surface undulation only in the surface of the stack of ply layers moulded against the moulding surface that either prevents wrinkling in the ply layers or initiates wrinkling in one or more of the ply layers at a predetermined location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification