Larger primary structure: the TAPAS project
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Started in 2009, TAPAS (Thermoplastic Affordable Primary Aircraft Structure) is a multiyear project in which Fokker Aerostructures, Airbus and a Dutch cluster of companies and institutes cooperate in the development of primary structure in thermoplastic composites. Carbon/UD materials, manufacturing technologies and design concepts are developed and qualified. Also, demonstrator products are being developed, built and tested. Fokker Aerostructures is in the lead of the development and production of a torsion box demonstrator. The Gulfstream 650 business jet horizontal tail has been chosen as the demonstrator product. Key to the improved cost/weight performance of this product is a butt-joint stiffened skin panel concept. This panel concept is achieved by co-consolidating, or co-melting, different simple preforms into a skin panel with integrated stiffeners. A thermoplastic butt-joint between the stiffener and skin is key to this concept. Fokker Aerostructures is also developing and applying a thermoplastic fiber placement capability for the manufacture of skin panels. A 1 x 2 m R&D cell is operational and a larger 3 x 7 m cell will be installed by the end of 2010. Goal is to reach TRL level 5/6 by the end of 2011 in order to subsequently apply thermoplastic composite technology to large primary structure. | |
 Butt-joint stiffened skin panel prototype |
 Ultrasonic fiber placement cell |