The Roll-Forming of Thick Carbon/Epoxy Laminates

This paper describes the results of a two-year research programme between Airbus UK and Cranfield University to investigate the feasibility of roll-forming carbon composite wing skin stiffeners.

An experimental roll-forming head was designed and built; the forming process investigated and a large number of, constant section, blade stiffeners manufactured. Different material forms and resin systems were trialed and the process parameters explored.

In all cases it was established that the roll-forming process works well and is extremely robust. In a surprise discovery, it was found that the manufacturing system can also produce tapered and stepped height blades.