Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite material part from a preform of fibers pre-impregnated with resin. The method includes laying the preform on a laying surface of a tool with a peripheral shoulder, covering the preform with a conforming plate delimited by a peripheral edge which extends beyond the peripheral flank of the preform over the entire periphery of the preform, using shims calibrated to position the conforming plate, the shims being arranged between the support surface of the peripheral shoulder and the peripheral edge of the conforming plate, removing the calibrated shims, arranging a seal connecting the conforming plate and the tool all around the preform, and polymerizing the preform.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for manufacturing a curved part of composite material, during which the layers of fibers of composite materials (110) that will compose the said part are held taut at least during the bending step, and furthermore, displacement of the said layers with relation to each other is controlled. The invention also concerns a device capable of implementing this type of process.

Abstract: A process for the production of a part made of composite material including at least one radius of curvature, includes a stage for deposition of pre-impregnated fiber layers (24) on a device (22) of convex shape on one another and for compacting the layers, characterized in that localized and repeated forces are applied in such a way as to cover the zone of the radius of curvature, at a given instant the forces being applied on a zone that is less than half of the zone of the radius of curvature, so as to compact the fiber layers (24) locally during the deposition stage.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a stiffener made of composite material with an inside surface of a concave shape, includes producing a flat strip (18) that includes at least one layer of fibers; heating it to be able to deform it; connecting one of the lateral edges of the strip (18) to a rotary mandrel (36) in such a way as to cause a winding of the strip on the mandrel (36) during its rotation, whereby the mandrel (36) has an outside surface (46) of which at least one part corresponds to the inside surface of the stiffener to be produced; and exerting tension at the other lateral edge of the strip (18) in a direction that is opposite to the direction of the movement of the strip (18) caused by the winding on the rotary mandrel (36).

Abstract: A device for deposition of fibers on a support (30) for producing a panel with an axis of revolution, includes a deposition head (32) and elements for positioning the deposition head relative to the support (30), with the positioning elements of the deposition head having kinematics including a first translation in a first direction (X) that is parallel to the axis of revolution, a second translation in a second direction (W) making it possible to come more or less close to the head of the support, a first rotation (C) around a first rotary axis combined with the second direction (W), and a second rotation (B) around a second rotary axis that is perpendicular to the first and second directions, wherein the kinematics of the positioning elements of the head include a third rotation (A) around a third axis of rotation that is parallel to the first direction (X).

Abstract: A process for the production of a stiffened panel made of composite material includes the stages of depositing the fibers that constitute the panel on a rigid device, depositing at least one stiffener, covering the unit with a sealed wall, and then polymerizing, and providing—for each stiffener—a rigid counter-mold in contact with the convex surface of the stiffener, covering the zone(s) of the panel that is/are not covered by the stiffener with at least one band sufficiently rigid to transmit compression forces by allowing play between the band and the stiffener, and then depositing a seal such that the seal, the band, and the rigid counter-mold form the sealed wall, whereby the seal is able to have two states, a first malleable state during application so that it adapts to the profile of the lateral edges of the stiffeners, and a hardened state to ensure transmission of compression forces in a manner essentially identical to the rigid counter-molds or to the bands arranged on either side of the seal so as n

Abstract: A process for the production of a stiffened panel made of composite material, includes the stages of depositing the fibers that constitute the panel on a rigid device (50), depositing the at least one stiffener (14), covering the unit with a sealed wall connected to the rigid device (50) on the periphery of the panel, and then polymerizing, and providing—for each stiffener (14)—a rigid counter-mold in contact with the convex surface of the stiffener (14), using—for each stiffener (14)—a core (66) in the form of a flexible and sealed bladder, and subjecting the interior of the bladder to pressure during polymerization for compacting the stiffener (14) and the panel.

Abstract: A process for the production of a stiffener made of composite material that includes a central part with wings on both sides such that when the wings are resting against an element to be reinforced, the central part is separated from the element to be reinforced, with the process including producing a flat strip (16) that includes at least one layer of fibers, placing it on a mold (26) that includes at least one hollow shape that corresponds to the central part of the stiffener that is to be produced, heating the strip (16), and deforming it in such a way as to make it assume the shapes of the mold (26), characterized in that it includes exerting a transverse traction on the strip (16) during the deformation of the strip.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a piece made of composite material that includes fibers that are immersed in a resin matrix, whereby the piece is placed in a first chamber with at least one flexible wall. The process includes a thermal cycle with essentially a first phase (50) at a first temperature during which the resin is liquid or in the “gel” state, and then a second phase (52) at a second temperature that is higher than the first during which solidification of the piece takes place by polymerization of the resin. An external pressure is applied to the outside of the first chamber and an internal pressure is generated inside the first chamber, wherein during the first phase (50), the relative internal pressure is less than 0 during a first period, and then greater than 0 during a second period preceding the beginning of the polymerization for reducing the porosity rate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a layup machine, economic in terms of capital costs, for producing large-sized cylindrical panels made of composite material covering an angular sector less than 360° and allowing high layup productivity. The device of the invention allows a fixed cylindrical mandrel to be placed on the machine's table and the tape laying head to be moved over the surface of this mandrel, the actuator carriage supporting said tape laying head moving around the mandrel along an at least partially circular track.

Abstract: A glue film (11) on a cellular structure (10) in order to form a regular glue strip on the edges of the partitions of the cells of the cellular structure (10), and the glue film (11) is exposed to a source (24) that emits radiation adapted to reactivity of the glue to only heat the glue selectively. The glue thus creeps without significantly triggering polymerisation. The glue strip is formed on the ends of the partitions without supplying an air flow through the openings of the cellular structure. The portion of the part located below the source is preferably kept approximately horizontal so that the glue strip is formed under the best possible conditions.

Abstract: A glue film (11) is placed on a cellular structure (10) in order to form a regular glue strip on the edges of the partitions of the cells of this cellular structure (10), and this glue film (11) is heated by a source (24) that emits radiation adapted to reactivity of the glue, to heat it only selectively. The glue thus creeps without significantly triggering polymerisation. The portion of the part located below the source is preferably kept approximately horizontal so that the glue strip is formed under the best possible conditions.

Abstract: A glue film (11) is placed on a cellular structure (10) in order to form a regular glue strip on the edges of the partitions of the cells of this cellular structure (10), and this glue film (11) is heated by a source (24) that emits radiation adapted to reactivity of the glue, to heat it only selectively. The glue thus creeps without significantly triggering polymerisation. The portion of the part located below the source is preferably kept approximately horizontal so that the glue strip is formed under the best possible conditions.

Abstract: In order to make notches in partitions separating substantially aligned recesses issuing onto the surface of a structure (10), use is made of a machining head (26) having a cutting tool (28) and at least one rotary member (52) adjacent to said tool. The rotary member (52) is provided with protuberances (54) supported in recesses of a row of recesses adjacent to that which is being machined, during the displacement of the machining head (26). The latter is connected with slackness to a tool holder by a mechanism, a lateral and height positioning of the tool (28) being ensured during machining.

Abstract: In order to make notches in partitions separating substantially aligned recesses issuing onto the surface of a structure (10), use is made of a machining head (26) having a cutting tool (28) and at least one rotary member (52) adjacent to said tool. The rotary member (52) is provided with protuberances (54) supported in recesses of a row of recesses adjacent to that which is being machined, during the displacement of the machining head (26). The latter is connected with slackness to a tool holder by a mechanism, a lateral and height positioning of the tool (28) being ensured during machining.