SGL Kümpers is a joint venture between SGL Group and family-owned Kümpers GmbH. SGL, headquartered in Germany, supplies SIGRAFIL® C carbon fibres for use in wind energy, aerospace, automotive and other industrial applications.
The automated process for the production of high-quality, cost-competitive preforms combines various technologies such as braiding, winding and unidrectional (UD) tape application. It is reported to offer maximum design flexibility and repeatability to meet the high-volume demands of future aircraft manufacture.
For this invention, SGL Kümpers, EADS-IW and Airbus Operations won a JEC Innovation Award in the Automation category. The award was presented at the JEC Composites Show in Paris in April.