Abstract
Large scale manufacturing technology for high-performance lightweight 3D multifunctional composites.
Textile reinforced polymer composites (TRPC) hold the promise for enhanced products featuring superior properties, such as light weight and high strength, with comparatively low material costs. This promising potential is nevertheless hindered by the lack of appropriate processing technologies to enable low-cost manufacturing of mass products with sufficient quality.
The goal of the 3D-LightTrans project is to create a highly flexible manufacturing chain for low cost production of integral large scale 3D TRPC parts, based on innovative approaches for the individual processes and its integration in the complete supply chain. This will enable to shift TRPCs from its current position in cost intensive, small series niche markets -like aeronautics-, to broadly extended mass product applications not only in transportation, but also in health, energy, leisure and other key sectors.
To fulfil this goal, the 3D-LightTrans manufacturing chain relies on an innovative approach: Multimaterial semifinished fabrics made of hybrid yarn are formed to deep draped prefixed multilayered and multifunctional 3D-textile preforms, which are then processed into the final composite part by an efficient thermoforming process. By integrating novel process steps from a knowledge-based manufacturing approach and with full automation, 3D-LightTrans will open the way to a totally new concept for the design, manufacturing and application of high-tech composites for low cost mass products in a wide range of sectors.
A project co-founded by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Program within the NMP thematic area