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Enabling Next Generation Composite Manufacturing by In-Situ Structural Evaluation and Process Adjustment

Project Reference: 608667
Activity Code:
FoF.NMP.2013-10
Coordinator:German Aerospace Center (DLR)

Abstract:

Within current composite part development and manufacturing processes a disproportional high effort is implied in order to find optimal process parameters and to meet required qualities and tolerances of high performance light weight structures.
The ECOMISE project proposes a breakthrough production system to enable next generation of thermoset composite manufacturing and post-processing. Within this new approach high precision process techniques for advanced dry fibre placement (AFP), infiltration (RTI/ RTM) and curing will be developed in order to maximize process efficiency at reduced costs and production time due to less material consumption, higher reproducibility, less energy, less waste and less rework.

In detail, innovative online process monitoring systems, probabilistic process simulation methods as well as a new method for in-situ structural evaluation of resulting composite properties will be developed, followed by a new knowledge-based method for in-situ process adjustment with respect to initial structural requirements. In this novel way, the required structural performance of the final composite product can be linked and assured during every manufacturing step, yet serving qualification issues at the earliest stage. Advanced characterization and testing techniques will be utilized and tailored to evaluate the process efficiency for required product quality by focussing on process robustness and throughput rate. Hereupon, the reduced carbon footprint is evaluated during manufacturing and in-service.
The resulting economic benefits of the ECOMISE approach will be evaluated and demonstrated by pilot implementations for industrial use-cases, considering particularities for volume part (automotive), large part (aeronautic) and thick complex part (marine) productions. Here, a significant impact is expected for SME and industry end users and suppliers of composite structures as well as of facilitators providing measurement systems and software solutions.

Project Details:

Start Date: 2013-09-01
End Date: 2016-08-31
EU Contribution: EUR 3 549 744
Total Costs: EUR 5 366 449
Programme Acronym: FP7-NMP
Subprogramme Area: FoF.NMP.2013-10
Funding Scheme: Small or medium-scale focused research project
Administrative Contact Person:
Felicitas KUTZ (Mrs)
CORDIS-Link

Partners:

  • Loop Technology Limited, United Kingdom
  • Synthesites Innovative Technologies, Hellas
  • Samtech SA,  Belgique
  • Stichting Nationaal Lucht- En Ruimtevaartlaboratorium, Nederland
  • Airborne Technology Center B.V., Nederland
  • Short Brothers Plc, United Kingdom
  • Polyworx Bv, Nederland
  • Faserinstitut Bremen Ev, Deutschland
  • Dassault Systemes SA, France
  • Hutchinson SA, France