Bombardier Inc.
METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A COMPACTED, COMPOSITE STIFFENER ASSEMBLY AND THE COMPACTED, COMPOSITE STIFFENER ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURED THEREBY

Abstract:

A method of compacting a plurality of pre-formed composite stiffeners prior to the plurality of pre-formed composite stiffeners being co-cured with a composite skin includes providing a caul plate with a plurality of stiffener receptacles and a skin-facing surface. The plurality of pre-formed composite stiffeners is positioned within the plurality of stiffener receptacles, each of the plurality of pre-formed composite stiffeners having a skin-contacting surface. A caul sheet having a mold surface that replicates a surface shape of the composite skin is positioned against the mold surface. The caul sheet is compacted against the caul plate such that the skin-contacting surfaces of the plurality of pre-formed composite stiffeners acquire the surface shape of the composite skin, thereby generating an assembly of compacted stiffeners.