US 12,240,191 B2
System and method for promoting inter-ply slippage
Mark Anthony Wadsworth, Wichita, KS (US)
Assigned to Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US)
Filed by Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US)
Filed on Aug. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/363,024.
Application 18/363,024 is a division of application No. 17/577,283, filed on Jan. 17, 2022, granted, now 11,752,711.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/138,609, filed on Jan. 18, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0373172 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 70/56 (2006.01); B29C 70/44 (2006.01); B29C 70/54 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/56 (2013.01) [B29C 70/446 (2013.01); B29C 70/541 (2013.01); B29C 70/543 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of shaping a composite material blank comprising plies, the method comprising steps of:
positioning a plurality of clevises near tension openings in the composite material blank;
extending a plurality of clevis pins through the tension openings;
connecting the plurality of clevis pins to the plurality of clevises so that the plurality of clevises are connected to the composite material blank;
applying tension to the composite material blank via the plurality of clevises and plurality of clevis pins such that more tension is applied to wrinkle prone plies of the composite material blank than to non-wrinkle prone plies of the composite material blank as the composite material blank is caused to conform to shape-forming features of a first tool; and
shaping the composite material blank to have a bend while applying tension, wherein the wrinkle prone plies define a concave surface at the bend and the non-wrinkle prone plies define a convex surface at the bend.