TxV Aero Composites has used Fiberforge tape laying system from Dieffenbacher, a manufacturer of hydraulic presses and complete production plants, to deliver polyaryletherketone (PAEK) composites on a large scale to the commercial aerospace industry.
Fiberforge creates flat, net-shape engineered laminates from continuous glass or carbon fiber tapes. The system can handle up to four different tape materials in one production run. The complete production process is automated, including an automated spool changing system that enables uninterrupted production. Using continuous fiber tapes can help minimize the high cost of waste typically associated with lay-up from fabric materials and produce lighter laminates with 10-30% higher structural performance than weave-based laminates, Dieffenbacher says.
Applications within the aerospace industry include loaded clips and brackets, interiors and seating among other commercial aircraft applications.
This story uses material from Dieffenbacher, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
