JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011 - 81

The method was developed to meet the challenge of heating an RTM moulding tool, where parts of the tooling are surrounded by a complex fibre preform and therefore thermally insulated. An inconsistent temperature sequence can significantly impair quality. The use of a water-soluble material results in homogenous heating, thus adding more room for complex-geometry parts and improved quality. No additional heating coil or similar needs to be added to the mandrel for heating purposes. Instead, the new patented method uses the water-soluble mandrel material itself as an electrical resistance heater. To this end, the outer area of the mandrel is reinforced with an additive that produces a defined or specifically varying electrical conductivity in the mandrel material. The amount of locally-adjusted electrical power, which is converted to heat emission, results from the locally-adjustable thickness and/or locally-adjustable electric conductivity of the electrically conductive layer, which can be adapted to suit the heat requirements. Varying the power supply makes it possible to regulate the heating profile on the mandrel surface. Due to the multi-layered construction, the heat in the edge layer is directly generated at the preform and only partly flows off into the inner mandrel because the thermal conductivity of the base material is significantly lower. Heating rates of more than 40°C/min can be achieved to accelerate the process. www.faserinstitut.de
> Booth J64

Aeronautics

Continuous processing of CFRP aircraft frames

Aeronautics

Multi-sector

Accelerated heating of water-soluble mandrel material

> Booth J64

Aquitaine Region: > Booth T20 15 innovative companies

The regional innovation agency, Innovalis Aquitaine, provides support to hundreds of innovative projects in industry or services companies. Its 32 employees are experts in various fields; they provide qualified access to scientific, technical, industrial and service partners on a regional, national and European level.

An innovative continuous process was developed for the production of curved preforms for CFRP profiles (frames and stringers). The process, similar to the pultrusion principle, can produce radii of curvature between 1,500 mm and endless (i.e. straight profiles). Curvatures can be changed and complex lay-ups with different fibre orientations (45°, 0° and 90° layers) in a single profile are possible (in profile web and flanges). The process has been validated for complex cross sections like integral frames under conditions close to serial production. The process involves continuous forming of textile carbon materials like fabrics and NCF into preforms. In a first step, flat textiles are continuously formed into the desired cross-section and then to the defined curvature. The forming and draping behaviour of the textiles was examined in a testing facility where different materials had been continuously formed into curved preforms with Z-crosssection and ±2-metre radius. The main focus of these trials was to prevent fibre waviness in the curved profiles. The process was developed as part of the Lokost project, funded by the German Secretary for Economics. The general process principle and process parameters have been worked out by the Faserinstitut. The continuous processing facility was designed and built by Broetje-Automation GmbH. The machine has been installed and tested by the CTC Stade GmbH at the Airbus site in Stade (Germany). www.broetje-automation.de

No63 March 2011 / jec composites magazine
www.innovalis-aquitaine.org

They also support product design, Europe networking and fund raising. Every year, the agency sets up a number of collective actions and innovative events. The agency has led companies to the JEC Composites Show for a number of successive years, providing a regional booth where innovation leaders can display their know-how and latest achievements. The "Composites and advanced materials" network in Aquitaine is thus readily accessible to visitors with insight into key technologies such as nanostructural products, thermostructural composite materials or new organic materials. In 2011, Innovalis Aquitaine will gather 15 companies under the banner: "L’Aquitaine Composite". Innovalis Aquitaine is supported by the Aquitaine Regional Council, OSEO, the French Ministry of Education and Research, the DIRECCTE and the European Union (ERDF funding).

Special JEC Show 2011

http://www.faserinstitut.de http://www.broetje-automation.de http://www.innovalis-aquitaine.org

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011