TRB Lightweight Structures plans to open a composites manufacturing centre in Richmond, Kentucky, USA, as a joint venture with Toyota Tsusho America.
According to the company, the 40,000 ft2 facility will be equipped with robotics to allow high volume production of carbon fiber components using the company’s press-forming process. It will initially focus on the automotive sector, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), where lightweight components can be used to increase vehicle range.
TRB says that up till now use of carbon fiber has traditionally been limited to high-end, low volume products, due to laborious and costly manufacturing processes. TRB’s production process allows carbon fiber to be press-formed using industrial robotics, allowing components to be manufactured at a similar price point to equivalent aluminium parts.
‘We are delighted to announce the creation of TRB Lightweight Structures America together with Toyota Tsusho America,’ said Richard Holland, MD of TRB. ‘The UK is a global leader in composites, and we are very excited to bring our technology and expertise to the rapidly growing EV sector in the USA.’
This story uses material from TRB, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
