Author(s)

M. Louis, M. Maier, T. Radmann & C. Ruckeif

Abstract

Thermoforming is an attractive processing technique to manufacture thermoplastic composites for structural applications supplying the increasing demand in the aerospace industry. To date, the technology has been optimized using trial and error methods. This is neither acceptable nor affordable since the forming tools are very expensive and the procedure is very time consuming. In order to reduce cost and time consumption, numerical simulation can be an effective tool to improve both part design and tool design as well as optimisation of processing conditions. In cooperation with DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus GmbH, the simulation of the thermoforming process of a rib structure for an Airbus aircraft was performed at th

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