Area-Ruled Thermoplastic Composite Fuselage Panel

Genesis of your product. why and for whom?

This demonstrator product was developed as a result of a joint GKN Fokker/Gulfstream Aerospace R&D project: Lowest Cost Composite panel due to: -Simple ''Butt Jointed'' orthogrid Stiffening -No bolts, fully welded frames -Tough carbon fiber reinforced unidirectional material for low weight.

Benefits for the final customers?

The benefits of this product are reduced weight as compared to fuselage aluminum panels through the application of thermoplastic materials and processing.

The product : materials and processes

Area Ruled Fuselage thermoplastic composite panel:

• Tough carbon/PEKK materials
• Fiber placed skin
• ''Butt Jointed'' orthogrid stiffening( co-consolidation)
• Conduction welded frames