Automation of composite manufacturing is essential in eliminating the traditionally hand-labour intensive composite manufacturing processes. Many steps in the production process can be automated, from material and tool handling, preforming, lay-up, machining to assembly of the parts.

The Airborne Technology Centre works on Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) technologies, both for thermosets and thermoplastics. For thermoplastics, a proprietary consolidation method is developed. AFP also gives the opportunity to use Fibre Steering, to manufacture laminates in which the fibres follow a curved path, optimised to the structural loading of the part. Besides AFP technology for discrete parts, also technologies for continuous production are being developed.

If you are interested in participating in our research programs, or have materials, processes or technologies that can support these topics, you are more than welcome to contact us, via our general contact details or directly via CTO This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it