Aerospace
Premium AEROTEC GmbH recently demonstrated its own production expertise and the strengths of VAP® membrane-assisted low pressure infusion at the unveiling of the prototype of a civilian helicopter fuselage section in its NEXICOS project. Using VAP® membrane systems, the aerostructure supplier had fabricated the complex fuselage barrel in a single go, complete with integrated stringers, local reinforcements and window frames. As it reports, the vacuum assisted process VAP® not only enabled automation of various process steps but also delivered significant mould-making flexibility, thus smoothing the way further for scaling up production of the part to the industrial level. The VAP® approach also yielded cost savings of 30 percent over comparable prepreg structures.
The cargo door of the Airbus A400M transport aircraft, measuring 7 m x 4 m and built by Premium AEROTEC GmbH, is the largest integral assembly ever produced using the the vacuum assisted process VAP®. Stringers and skin are injected in one single shot. This geometrically complex structural component is located in a highly stressed area of the fuselage and therefore exposed to high physical loads. For the manufacture of such components, a temperature controlled oven is sufficient for curing the resin.
