THERMOPLASTIC FOKKER-50 MAIN UNDERCARRIAGE DOOR, MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Fokker, as part of its aircraft technology program, has developed manu facturing technology for thermoplastic Fokker 50 main landing geardoor s. The door design has been optimised in order to maximize the advanta ges of low-cost processing technologies. Aft and forward door componen ts consist of inner and outer skins, connected by ribs and, a spar: Th e technologies investigated were press-forming, creep forming, membran e forming, resistance welding, and thermal dimpling. A first prototype door was assembled with conventional fasteners. Research is presently concentrated on the optimization of welding; and high speed autoclave techniques. A first prototype door has been subjected successfully To a static test. Derivative ribs and wing panels are presently in serie s production for the Dornier 328 and Fokker 50 aircraft.