Abstract: A beam of fiber-reinforced curable thermosetting composite material is preliminarily assembled in an uncured condition. The beam is placed between two forming tools, namely a lower and an upper tool, shaped in such a way as to give the lower and upper flanges a predetermined shape, at least one of the flanges having a non-rectilinear profile viewed in a longitudinal vertical plane. Two longitudinally elongate rigid inserts are placed between the flanges at the sides of the web and are covered in respective airtight tubular bags. The spaces between the upper tool and the lower tool on the two opposite longitudinal sides are sealed. The open opposite ends of the tubular bags are also sealed in such a manner that the pressure applied in an autoclave during the step of curing causes the tubular bags to swell and presses them against the two opposite faces of the web and against the flanges of the beam. On completion of curing, the upper forming tool is removed and the inserts are extracted sideways.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a recycled prepreg material in strip form, is composed of fiber sections embedded in a resin matrix. A charge of flat scraps from a prepreg starting material is supplied, recording the overall area of the scraps. Then the scraps are fragmented by cutting so as to obtain cut fragments of predetermined size. A strip of backing material and a strip of protective material are supplied. The cut fragments are then distributed in a random manner on the strip of backing material, the feeding speed of the strip of backing material being adjusted depending on the recorded area of the input scraps, so that the cut fragments form a substantially homogeneous layer. The strip of protective material is then arranged over the cut fragments distributed on the strip of backing material, and the whole assembly is then compacted so as to form a strip of recycled prepreg material.

Abstract: A leading edge structure includes two or more multilayer panels at least partially overlapping and suitably curved with at least partially congruent concavities. Each multilayer panel includes at least the following three layers: a first metal foil layer metal foil, a second intermediate layer of fiber-glass securely fixed to the first layer, and a third metal honeycomb layer securely fixed to the second layer.

Abstract: A beam of fibre-reinforced curable thermosetting composite material is preliminarily assembled in an uncured condition. The beam is placed between two forming tools, namely a lower and an upper tool, shaped in such a way as to give the lower and upper flanges a predetermined shape, at least one of the flanges having a non-rectilinear profile viewed in a longitudinal vertical plane. Two longitudinally elongate rigid inserts are placed between the flanges at the sides of the web and are covered in respective airtight tubular bags. The spaces between the upper tool and the lower tool on the two opposite longitudinal sides are sealed. The open opposite ends of the tubular bags are also sealed in such a manner that the pressure applied in an autoclave during the step of curing causes the tubular bags to swell and presses them against the two opposite faces of the web and against the flanges of the beam. On completion of curing, the upper forming tool is removed and the inserts are extracted sideways.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a recycled prepreg material in strip form, is composed of fibre sections embedded in a resin matrix. A charge of flat scraps from a prepreg starting material is supplied, recording the overall area of the scraps. Then the scraps are fragmented by cutting so as to obtain cut fragments of predetermined size. A strip of backing material and a strip of protective material are supplied. The cut fragments are then distributed in a random manner on the strip of backing material, the feeding speed of the strip of backing material being adjusted depending on the recorded area of the input scraps, so that the cut fragments form a substantially homogeneous layer. The strip of protective material is then arranged over the cut fragments distributed on the strip of backing material, and the whole assembly is then compacted so as to form a strip of recycled prepreg material.

Abstract: A leading edge structure includes two or more multilayer panels at least partially overlapping and suitably curved with at least partially congruent concavities. Each multilayer panel includes at least the following three layers: a first metal foil layer metal foil, a second intermediate layer of fibre-glass securely fixed to the first layer, and a third metal honeycomb layer securely fixed to the second layer.