Abstract: A structural composite part made of pre-impregnated fiber plies. The edges of two adjacent fiber plies are connected via a longitudinal composite joint made structural by a nanostructure arranged within the composite joint. A method of producing a structural composite part made of pre-impregnated fiber plies. The edges of two adjacent fiber plies are connected via a longitudinal composite joint made structural by a nanostructure and an aircraft structure comprising such structural composite parts.

Abstract: A composite radius filler for use in an aircraft structure. The aircraft structure includes structural composite parts assembled together to form the aircraft structure. The composite radius filler is arranged between rounded sections of the structural composite parts for filling a gap formed between the structural composite parts. The composite radius filler is made structural by a nanostructure arranged within the composite radius filler for the reinforcement of the interface between the radius filler and the structural composite part. A method for producing an aircraft structure including a nano-reinforced radius filler.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of conforming a blank onto forming surface sections of a forming tool by drawing a first vacuum against an elastic forming medium for transmitting forming forces from the elastic forming medium to the blank. The elastic forming medium is evacuated with the first vacuum for allowing the elastic forming medium to stretch and conform the blank to the forming surface sections. The elastic forming medium includes at least one void. A second vacuum is applied to the void for achieving a stiffened section of the elastic forming medium corresponding with the location of the void and corresponding with, when the elastic forming medium after the completion lies against the forming tool having the blank in between, a forming surface section of the forming tool where the blank requires a forming force being larger than that of surrounding sections of the elastic forming medium.

Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus for forming a blank into a composite article. The thermoforming apparatus includes a forming tool. A forming member forms the blank over the forming tool. A first chamber is arranged for containing the blank. A second chamber is separated from the first chamber by the forming member. A first air circulator is configured to circulate air in the first chamber for achieving a heat distribution to the blank. The first air circulator includes a controllable valve member. The apparatus also includes a second air circulator. A method for forming a blank during circulation of air in a first chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming an article on a tool and an article. The tool has one longitudinal direction and one transversal direction. A stack of plies including fibers is arranged so that when positioned on the tool a ply arranged closest to the tool and a ply arranged furthest away from the tool have fibers substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the tool. At least one ply is arranged having the fibers substantially in a same direction as the longitudinal direction of the tool between the plies having fibers substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the tool. The stack is conformed to the tool with a forming medium. The article is removed from the tool.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for conforming a blank onto forming surface sections of a forming tool by drawing a vacuum against an elastic vacuum bag for transmitting forming forces from the elastic vacuum bag to the blank. The elastic vacuum bag includes at least one bag section having a different stiffness than other bag sections. The at least one bag section is an elongated bag section having a stiffness larger than that of surrounding bag sections. The location of the elongated bag section of the elastic vacuum bag corresponds, when the elastic vacuum bag after completion lies against the forming surface sections having the blank in between, with an elongated forming surface section of the forming tool where the blank requires a forming force being larger than that of the surrounding bag sections.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite structure including a plurality of sheets and a radius filler. The radius filler is adapted to fill a gap at least partially formed by the sheets of the composite structure. The radius filler includes a plastic material with a first curing temperature. The sheets include a plastic material with a second curing temperature. The method includes arranging the sheets in a desired shape, applying the radius filler material into the gap, exposing the sheets and the radius filler material to the first temperature, whereby the material of the radius filler cures, and exposing the sheets and the radius filler to the second temperature, which exceeds the first temperature, whereby the material of the sheets cures. A radius filler for filling gaps between sheets of a composite structure. The material of the radius filler has a curing temperature which is below the curing temperature of the sheets of the composite structure.

Abstract: A tool assembly including a male tool including an inner shape tool including a bag having a connection connectable to a depressurization source for providing a vacuum in the bag such that beads therein form a body of firm cohesion providing the inner shape tool rigid. The male tool further includes a flexible, hollow curing support arranged around the rigid inner shape tool, the inner shape tool is arranged to be removable from the flexible, hollow curing support by rupturing the vacuum.

Abstract: A tool assembly including a male tool including an inner shape tool including a bag having a connection connectable to a depressurization source for providing a vacuum in the bag such that beads therein form a body of firm cohesion providing the inner shape tool rigid. The male tool further includes a flexible, hollow curing support arranged around the rigid inner shape tool, the inner shape tool is arranged to be removable from the flexible, hollow curing support by rupturing the vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a composite structure (3) comprising a plurality of sheets (1, 2, 5) and a radius filler (6), wherein the radius filler is adapted to fill a gap (4) at least partially formed by the sheets of the composite structure. The radius filler comprises a plastic material with a first curing temperature (T1) and the sheets comprise a plastic material with a second curing temperature (T2). The method includes the steps of arranging the sheets in a desired shape, applying the radius filler material into the gap, exposing the sheets and the radius filler material to the first temperature (T1), whereby the material of the radius filler cures, and exposing the sheets and the radius filler to the second temperature (T2), which exceeds the first temperature (T1), whereby the material of the sheets cures. The invention also relates to a radius filler (6) for filling gaps (4) between sheets (1, 2, 5) of a composite structure (3).