TRB Lightweight Structures (TRB) reports that it has developed a new process to make continuous fiber thermoset composite parts at higher volume.
The process, which focuses on combining materials science with robotic manufacturing is being used to supply a powertrain manufacturer with battery components for electric buses, the company said. It involves feeding custom materials into an integrated process which covers automating cutting, layup, pressing and curing, allowing parts to be manufactured more quickly and more cost effectively, TRB said.
The manufacturing method is suitable for the high-volume production of components for electric vehicles (EV) and can be adapted to include additional material layers offering thermal, electrical conductivity and electromagnetic radiation protection.
‘While high volume composites have many applications, we have chosen to focus on the fast-expanding EV market – both on the road and in the sky – given our mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation,’ said Richard Holland, MD.
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.
