Project description
Transforming helicopter manufacturing
In the early 20th century, aviation pioneers were daring to defy gravity and unlock the secrets of flight, changing the course of human transportation. Today, the spirit of innovation continues to soar, as researchers aim to take helicopter manufacturing to the next level. The EU-funded AFPMeT project will develop designing and manufacturing of cutting-edge tooling facilities for automated fibre placement (AFP) lamination. Investigating the impact of uncured materials and sandwich cores on AFP lamination, the project is poised to conquer deformations like warpage and shrinkage. With an eye on optimised tooling for AFP lamination of complex shapes and the development of innovative approaches to laminate sandwich panels, the project will pave the way for advancements in helicopter design and construction.
Objective
This proposal responds to the call of Clean Sky 2 JTI-CS2-2017-CFP06-AIR-02-42, Layup tools for net-shape AFP-manufacturing of geometrically complex helicopter sideshell sandwich-panels.
The objective of this proposal is to develop, design, manufacture and deliver to the Topic Manager facilities suitable tooling’s to perform AFP (Automatic Fiber Placement) lamination and transfer uncured complex sandwich part of the side structure of an innovative helicopter.
Different tool materials and configurations will be developed to meet requirements of the call.
In particular, possible effect of uncured material and sandwich core on AFP lamination will be investigate and transfer of uncured bond assy from lamination to cure tool will be developed. deformations like warpage and shrinkage will be investigated by subscale test .According to the call, if necessary on the basis of process selected by T.M. the cure tool auxiliary for lamination of inner skin of sandwich parts will be provided with a suitable handling device to move the skin on cure tool.
In addition all the necessary auxiliary tool including template will be provided to support lamination, handling and post cure operation.
Several the tool material and configurations options will be evaluated performing selection based on key requirements like:
• Low energy consumption in tool and part fabrication
• Use wherever possible of green or recycled materials (like Recovered Uncured Prepreg Scrapes)
• Possible reuse of tool material/component
The opportunities for innovation are:
• Unusual architecture of the aircraft (rotorcraft with a specific architecture)
• Optimized tooling for AFP lamination of complex shape.
• Development of innovative approach to laminate sandwich panel by AFP
• Transfer of uncured bond assy to cure tool without wrinkles and fiber distortion.
Proponents of the project have a wide knowledge of fabrication of composite materials and processes, and in addition, an awareness of the advantages and disadvantages that each choice may entail. The know-how of the proponents will be fully shared with TM, in order to reach the agreed goals
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
CS2-IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
84012 Angri
Italy
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.