A study on rapid forming of aerospace stiffeners

Civil aerospace sectors need for manufacturing lines capable of 60+ ship sets per month is the motivation for this study, focusing on rapid manufacturing techniques and materials that facilitate this requirement. This paper discusses a trade study and the manufacturing of a demonstrator that led to a greater understanding of the automated forming processes available for stiffening structures in aerospace applications. This study confirmed key benefits of the rapid forming processes, including component manufacturing rate increases to achieve civil aerospace targets.