Search results

This paper's aim is to focus on the design, manufacture and test of a stiffened panel in composite material with integrated longitudinal foam‐filled stiffeners, spar and rib caps, using one‐shot liquid infusion (LI) process, reducing weight and number of subparts respect to metallic reference baseline P180 Avanti vertical fin.

Extensive activities in computational applications in order to improve the efficiency of the design process finite element analysis/structural sizing codes have led to an optimised engineering design process that resulted in a successful stiffened carbon fibre reinforced polymer panel design in terms of weight and number of parts with respect to the metallic baseline.

The composite panel has fulfilled all the design requirements (reduction of mass and number of parts with respect to the metallic reference baseline) overcoming the certification static test, and confirming the reliability of the theoretical analyses.

The composite aircraft components, conceived as unitized structure by one‐shot process, guarantee not only a mass reduction, compared to aluminium components, but assure also the reduction of the number of subparts and of the assembly process cycle time. On the other hand, the LI technology implies the development of more specific and advanced techniques to control the manufacturing and the weight.

The stiffened panel is the most used component in the aircraft structures; the solution shown in this work can find applications in many parts of an aircraft.

The results obtained in this work can be useful to those who work in aeronautical structural departments with the aim to reduce weight and subparts of the airframe.

The purpose of this study concerns numerical studies and experimental validation of the mechanical behavior of hybrid specimens. These kinds of composite specimens are made up of thin carbon and glass substrates on which some Macro Fiber Composite^® (MFC) piezoelectric patches are glued. A proper design and manufacturing of the hybrid specimens as well as testing activities have been performed. The research activity has been carried out under the FutureWings project, funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework.

The paper describes the basic assumptions made to define specimen geometries and to carry out experimental tests. Finite element (FE) results and experimental data (laser technique measurements) have been compared: it shows very good agreement for the displacements’ distribution along the specimens.

Within the objectives of the project, the study of passive and active deformation characteristics of the hybrid composite material has provided reference technical data and has allowed for the correct adaptation of the FE models. More in particular, using the hybrid specimens, both the bending deformations and the torsion deformations have been studied.

The deformation capability of the hybrid specimens will be used in the development of prototypical three-dimensional structures, that, through the electrical control of the MFC patches, will be able to change the curvature of their cross section or will be able to change the angle of torsion along their longitudinal axis.

The design of nonstandard specimens and the tests executed represent a novelty in the field of structures using piezoelectric actuators. The numerical and experimental data of the present research constitute a small step forward in the field of smart materials technology.

THE Deutsche Luftfahrtschau, or to give it its more colloquial name, the Hanover Air Show, is held every two years under the auspices of the Bundesverband der Deutschen Luft und Raumfahrtindustriee.V. (Federal Association of the German Air and Spacecraft Industries). This year's Show will be held from April 23 to May 3 at the Hanover Langenhagen Airport and will coincide approximately with the Hanover Trade Fair.

The Paris/Le Bourget International Air and Space Show is the world's oldest international show and is of considerable importance. It will have 548 exhibitors from 23 countries and there will be 165,000 square metres of display area — with 10,000 square metres for the out‐door static exhibits. The numbers of chalets is to be increased by 55.

An Introduction to the International Aircraft Exhibition and the Second International Exhibition of Airport Equipment which are to be Held at the Exhibitions Building, Valentino Park, Turin, and the City of Turin Airport, Caselle, from May 31 to June 7, and a Survey of the Current Range of Products of the Italian Aircraft Industry. The growth of the Italian aircraft industry since the Second World War and the extent of its participation in aircraft, missile and space vehicle programmes, particularly with other European countries, has led to Italy being recognized as having one of the leading industries in the Western world. Although the Italian industry has been well represented at overseas Air Shows, notably the Paris Salon Aeronautique and the Hanover Deutsches Luftfahrtschau, the feeling has existed for some time that Italy should have her own International Air Show—a Show at which Italian products and endeavour could be seen to best advantage.

The successful first firing of a fully guided air‐to‐air test vehicle based on the Short Range Air‐to‐Air Missile (SRAAM) was recently carried out by Hawker Siddeley Dynamics from a MOD (PE) Hunter aircraft over the Aberporth range. The launch was the first to be carried out under operational conditions and follows successful ground and air dispersion firings.

Mr W. A. J. MacLean, M.I.W.M., has relinquished his position as Works Manager of Dowty Rotol Ltd. on his appointment as Managing Director of New Mendip Engineering Ltd. in succession to Mr H. L. Sharp who has resigned from the company. Mr MacLean, who joined Rotol Airscrews Ltd. in 1938 and became Works Manager in 1958, was appointed to the Board of New Mendip Engineering Ltd., a Dowty Group company, two years ago.

IN the two years since the last Farnborough Air Show was held by the Society of British Aerospace Companies the aircraft industry has achieved an almost complete metamorphosis from the body blows in the form of major programme cancellations that almost felled it in 1965 to the very healthy position that it holds today.

THE twentieth Salon International de l'Aéronautique was held from June 26 to July 5, the stands being housed in a new permanent building at the south‐eastern extremity of the airport of le Bourget with the outside static aircraft part and runways nearby. Apart from being much more convenient for exhibitors and public, the new arrangement seems to coincide with a resurgence of confidence in the French aircraft industry. A number of interesting new prototypes were shown, and there are now more aircraft for which production orders have been placed, although usually only in moderate quantities.