ATL/AFP

Additive Manufacturing

ATLAM combines composite tape laying, large-scale thermoplastic 3D printing in one printhead

CEAD, GKN Aerospace Deutschland and TU Munich enable additive manufacturing of large composite tools and parts with low CTE and high mechanical properties.

Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Glass Fibers

Adaptive composite elements for building facades exhibited at JEC World 2023

University of Stuttgart institutes use carbon and glass fiber composites, robotic fabrication, biomimetic design and digial twin/control to demonstrate adaptive facade elements for future buildings.
#composites4-0

ATL/AFP

JEC World 2023 preview: Broetje-Automation

The STAXX One automated fiber placement (AFP) systems are run by industrial robotics and incorporate digital twin technology.
#composites4-0

ATL/AFP

JEC World 2023 preview: Carbon Axis

Carbon Axis unveils tape winding and heating capabilities for XCell, a turnkey automated fiber placement (AFP) robotic cell.
#jec

Additive Manufacturing

DLR project demonstrates hybrid AM process for composites

Latest DLR development in 3D printing combines additive extrusion technologies and AFP to present a new approach for manufacturing complex thermoplastic composite structures.
#wingoftomorrow #space

Evolving AFP for the next generation

‘Aerospace quality at automotive pace’ is the mantra of the supply chain being developed for next-generation commercial aircraft. Automation is evolving to meet the challenge.
#airbus #boeing #787

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Design/Simulation |

Heat mapping simulation to improve AFP parts

An optical model developed for Coriolis Composites’ SimuReal AFP process simulation software enables verification of energy distributions during AFP to better define heating laws.
#predictingfailure

Videos / Podcasts

cored CFRP fuselage side shell for RACER demonstrator helicopter

ATL/AFP

Optimizing AFP for complex-cored CFRP fuselage

December 23, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

Automated process cuts emissions, waste and cost for lightweight RACER helicopter side shells.
#insidemanufacturing #wingoftomorrow #space

Avel Robotics uses AFP tow steering to produce CFRP foil components

Urban Air Mobility

Plant tour: Avel Robotics, Lorient, France

November 23, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

From AFP hydrofoils to more efficient aircraft parts, Avel uses digital design, multiprocess production and a rule-breaking approach for complex 4D composites.
#planttour #wingoftomorrow #space

Infusion

Plant tour: ÉireComposites, Galway, Ireland

August 19, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

An in-house testing business and R&D focus has led to innovative materials use and projects in a range of markets, from civil aerospace to renewable energy to marine.
#wingoftomorrow #space #planttour

FEA of composite seat shell for SuCoHS demonstrator

Design/Simulation

SuCoHS project: Advancing composite solutions for parts with high thermal and mechanical loads

April 28, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

New materials, structural concepts and manufacturing using sensors for composites that resist fire, temperature and loads while providing weight and cost savings versus metals.
#wingoftomorrow #space #sensors

ATL/AFP

AFP-XS platform demonstrates rectangular tube manufacture

March 25, 2022 - 11:00 AM EST

Addcomposites collaborated with MBDA and Compositadour to produce lightweight, stiff and weatherproof components that are electrically insulating, chemically resistant and dimensionally stable.

ATL/AFP

Addcomposites adds tape winding to Finland facility for pilot trials

December 22, 2021 - 1:00 PM EST

The new capability, which enhances the available level of design freedom, was added to encourage manufacturers to develop new innovations using tape winding.

ATL/AFP

Hengshen to produce rear pressure bulkhead demonstrators

December 08, 2021 - 10:00 AM EST

China-based Hengshen Carbon and Composites will produce five 4.5-meter demonstrator composite rear pressure bulkheads (RPB) for a Chinese aerospace OEM.
#wingoftomorrow #space

Cutting/Kitting |

Plant tour: Joby Aviation, Marina, Calif., U.S.

As the advanced air mobility market begins to take shape, market leader Joby Aviation works to industrialize composites manufacturing for its first-generation, composites-intensive, all-electric air taxi.
#planttour #wingoftomorrow #space

Jeff Sloan Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld

Thermoplastics

STUNNING project completes lower half of MFFD

Clean Sky project has delivered the 8 × 4 meter welded aerostructure component, aided by advanced thermoplastic composite technologies and smart robotics.
#wingoftomorrow #space

Materials

EU-funded GENEX project to develop digital twin framework for aircraft lifecycle tracking

Novel digital framework to enable holistic and comprehensive data capture through the entire aircraft lifecycle, supporting composite component/structure manufacture optimization and maintenance.
#wingoftomorrow #space #composites4-0

Automotive

Cannon Tipos, Coriolis Composites mold complex automotive structural part from single preform

Dosing equipment for precise injection and mold engineering enable near-net-shape dry preform for HP-RTM CFRP composite part with rapid cycle time.

Carbon Fibers

Cygnet Texkimp builds high-precision slitter spooler rewinder for industry trials

Demonstration machine can precisely slit and wind up to 48 tapes from continuous thermoset UD carbon fiber prepreg, with additional material compatibilities.

Thermoplastics

Tri-Mack introduces thin, lightweight thermoplastic composite enclosures

Durable, low-cost manufacturing support wide range of industrial uses, with option for embedded EMI shielding.
#paek #peek #trends

ATL/AFP

Collins Aerospace demonstrates new thermoplastic composites capabilities

Collins Aerospace in Almere has produced a 7-meter raceway for the Clean Sky 2 MFFD lower fuselage using novel CCM and tooling technology while the Riverside facility in the U.S. advances AFP and welding as part of global strategy for more sustainable airframes.
#sustainability #wingoftomorrow #space

Molds/Tools |

Nine factors to consider when designing composites cure tooling

Gary Bond discusses the common pitfalls and compromises when designing good cure tooling and their holistic significance for a robust composite production process.
#troubleshooter

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CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Fives

The Composites & Automated Solutions line from Fives supplies next-gen automated composites manufacturing solutions, such as the Cincinnati Robotic Viper, Cincinnati Supercharger and Fives In-Process Inspection for increased productivity.
#camx #automation

ATL/AFP

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Composite Automation

Composite Automation is joined by Isojet Equipements and PCM/Lucas Industries, bringing solutions for every step of the composites manufacturing process to one booth.
#composites4-0 #automation #camx

Filament Winding

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Mikrosam

Mikrosam presents automated, high-performance composites manufacturing equipment for filament winding, AFP/ATL, prepregs and towpregs, pressure vessels, slitting and rewinding.
#camx

ATL/AFP

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Engineering Technology Corp.

ETC exhibits turnkey composites equipment like laboratory-scale and multi-spindle automated winders, as well as a large-scale tape wrapping machine at its joint booth with Zoltek.
#camx

CAMX Expo

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Heraeus Noblelight

Humm3 technology is a high power, safe, highly controllable broadband heat source for automated fiber placement, automated tape laying, filament winding and other composites applications.
#camx

Defense

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Qarbon Aerospace

Qarbon Aerospace exhibits its capabilities in manufacturing composite components and assemblies, highlighting its proficiencies in major assembly and systems integration, automated layup, hand layup, high-temp composites and core fabrication.
#space #camx #wingoftomorrow

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