| US 7,588,711 B2 | ||
| Method for forming a composite support beam | ||
| Edoardo P. Depase, Seattle, Wash. (US); Kurtis Willden, Kent, Wash. (US); and Grant Zenkner, Puyallup, Wash. (US) | ||
| Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, Ill. (US) | ||
| Filed on Nov. 21, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/561,959. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2008/0115555 A1, May 22, 2008 | ||
| Int. Cl. B21D 47/01 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 264—297.8 [264/258; 264/339; 264/297.5; 264/297.6; 264/297.9] | 20 Claims |
| 1. A method of forming a pair of support beams comprising:
supporting first composite charges upon first and second forming tools;
positioning the first and second forming tools in a linear arrangement with a third forming tool disposed between the first
and second forming tools;
placing an additional composite charge upon at least a portion of the first composite charges and the third forming tool;
positioning a fixed forming tool proximate a first portion of the additional composite charge such that a second portion of
the additional composite charge extends beyond the fixed forming tool;
bending the second portion of the additional composite charge into a bent configuration about the fixed forming tool by moving
at least one of the first, second and third forming tools relative to another one of the first, second and third forming tools
while the fixed forming tool remains proximate the first portion of the additional composite charge; and
separating the pair of support beams by dividing the first portion of the additional composite charge.
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