EN 4408-004:2005

Overview

EN 4408-004:2005 is a European aerospace standard developed by CEN that provides detailed rules for the representation of composite material parts obtained by winding in technical drawings. It is a crucial component of the aerospace series standards focused on parts made from composite materials, complementing EN 4408-001 which covers general rules for composite parts representation.

This standard addresses the specific needs of wound composite items-components fabricated by winding filaments or plies-and lays out how these parts should be illustrated and annotated in aerospace engineering documentation. EN 4408-004:2005 ensures consistency and clarity in technical drawings for aerospace structures, promoting effective communication among design, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  Applicable to aerospace structures utilizing composite materials formed by winding, this standard governs the depiction of such parts within technical drawings. It must be used alongside EN 4408-001, which establishes general rules for composite parts representation.

• Terminology and Definitions
  The standard defines important technical terms related to winding processes, including:

  • Angle of the spiral: Angle between the yarn or ply and a reference direction
  • Lap: Cohesive arrangement of fibers or filaments
  • Layer: A complete coverage set of winding motives
  • Spiral pitch: Axial progression of yarn during one revolution
  • Tape: Unidirectional pre-impregnated fibrous composite material
  • To-and-fro: Two consecutive winding spirals with opposite pitches
  • Winding symbol (@): Denotes ply produced by winding

• Drawing Presentation Rules
  The standard enforces rules for consistent graphical representation, including:

  • Use of the “@” symbol in stratification tables to indicate winding
  • Requirements for specifying the winding basic material (e.g., yarn, rough roving, tape)
  • Representation methods for filaments and plies winding, including helicoidal winding of filaments and winding of plies with detailed depiction of ply widths and angles
  • Instructions on how to present winding angles, spiral pitch, and start points on drawings

• Integration with Other Standards
  EN 4408-004 complements related parts within the EN 4408 series, notably:

  • EN 4408-001: General rules for technical drawings of composite parts
  • EN 4408-002: Representation of laminated composite parts
  • EN 4408-003, EN 4408-005, EN 4408-006: Standards covering parts with core materials, seams, and preforms respectively

Applications

EN 4408-004:2005 is primarily intended for aerospace engineers, design offices, and manufacturers working with composite materials produced via winding techniques. Its practical applications include:

• Design Documentation for Aerospace Structures
  Ensuring that all winding details of composite parts are correctly and clearly represented in technical drawings to avoid manufacturing errors and facilitate inspection.

• Manufacturing Process Control
  Helping production engineers interpret winding parameters such as spiral angle and ply layout, which influence mechanical performance and structural integrity.

• Quality Assurance and Certification
  Providing standard notation and details critical for audits, conformity assessments, and certification of composite aerospace parts.

• Cross-disciplinary Communication
  Harmonizing the terminology and symbols used among designers, engineers, and suppliers, which is vital for the global aerospace supply chain.

Related Standards

• EN 4408-001: Aerospace series – Technical drawings – Representation of parts made of composite materials – Part 1: General rules
  Serves as the foundational document for all composite part drawings, establishing terminology and general graphical principles.

• EN 4408-002: Aerospace series – Representation of laminated composite parts
  Complements the winding standard by detailing drawing representation for laminated structures.

• EN 4408-003 to EN 4408-006: Aerospace series covering specialized composite parts such as those including core materials, seams, and preforms, extending the comprehensive approach to composite parts representation.

Conclusion

EN 4408-004:2005 is an essential standard for aerospace industries utilizing composite materials manufactured by winding. By prescribing clear, standardized rules for technical drawings, it supports precise fabrication, inspection, and management of winding composite parts. Implementing this standard promotes quality, safety, and interoperability throughout the aerospace composite manufacturing lifecycle.

Keywords: EN 4408-004, aerospace composite materials, winding representation, technical drawings, composite parts, aerospace structures, filament winding, ply winding, stratification table, spiral angle, aerospace standards, CEN standards, composite manufacturing documentation