This week, Leonardo visited the Global Technology Centre of GKN Fokker in Hoogeveen, The Netherlands (NL-GTC), to inspect the Outer Wing Box (OWB) Lower Cover developed for the Clean Aviation HERWINGT project. The component was manufactured using Laser Automatic Fibre Placement (L-AFP) with in-situ consolidation (ISC) technology, resulting in a “one-shot” stiffened panel that eliminates the need for secondary consolidation.
The stringers, produced by CCM through XELIS GmbH (part of AVANCO Composites), were positioned within a self-heated tool supplied by Grunewald GmbH & Co. KG. The L-AFP robot then placed and consolidated the skin layers on top, achieving simultaneous co-consolidation of the stringers.
Throughout the visit, partners exchanged insights and reviewed progress on tooling for the OWB demonstrator spars, with contributions from the UK-GTC in Bristol. Attendees also explored a range of Thermoplastic Composites technologies, including Out-of-Autoclave processes and welding techniques.
In the coming month, final assessments of the L-AFP ISC part will be completed, after which the component will be delivered to Leonardo for integration into the full-scale OWB. Structural testing is scheduled for the following year.
