Uncertainty in the manufacturing of fibrous thermosetting composites: A review

Composites manufacturing involves many sources of uncertainty associated with material properties variation and boundary conditions variability. In this study, experimental and numerical results concerning the statistical characterization and the influence of inputs variability on the main steps of composites manufacturing including process-induced defects are presented and analysed. Each of the steps of composite manufacturing introduces variability to the subsequent processes, creating strong interdependencies between the process parameters and properties of the final part. The development and implementation of stochastic simulation tools is imperative to quantify process output variabilities and develop optimal process designs in composites manufacturing

Capturing composites manufacturing waste flows through process mapping

The necessity of high performance materials has become latent in high technology sectors such as aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, nuclear engineering and sports. The expanding impact on future manufacturing of the EU waste management legislation and increasing price of current waste management methods stress the importance of an efficient and sustainable way of recycling waste generated in the composites industry. Aerospace companies estimated that 30e50% of materials in aircraft production are scrapped due to the way it is manufactured. Companies need to pay for landfilling the composite materials that otherwise can be a valuable resource. In a view that looking at individual production waste outputs could maximise the material reuse or recycling capability, gaining information about the type of scrap materials could inform the development of composite reuse/recycling supply chain. This research paper focuses on understanding the scale of scrap created in individual composites manufacturing processes to assess its potential value in terms of reuse/recycle capabilities. A Material flow analysis based data collection workshop has been performed with four composite manufacturers. Through the case studies it has been identified that there are three fibre related waste outputs captured: dry fibres, fibre material sheet off-cuts, and curried composite off-cuts. The captured information allows for the material specification development. This allows bridging the gap between the manufacturers and the waste processors in composites to address the lack of infrastructure and lack of waste material specification barriers outlined by the Composites Strategy 2009

Wood Composites Manufacturing

The UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center has a complete Wood Composites Pilot Line allowing production of up to 4’ x 8’ oriented strand board (OSB), laminated strand lumber (LSL), particle board, MDF, and other cellulosic composites on a near-industrial scale

A Design Method to Exploit Synergies Between Fiber-Reinforce Composites and Additive Manufactured Processes

This paper proposes a design method for devices composed of long fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) and additive manufactured (AM) parts. Both FRC and AM processes have similar application characteristics: suitable for small production volumes, additive in nature, and capable of being highly automated. On the other hand, the classes have distinct characteristics. FRCcomponents tend to be large and of simple shapes, while AM components tend to be small with highly complex geometry. Their combination has the potential for significant synergies, while mitigating their individual limitations. A decision guide is proposed, in the form of a series of questions, to guide the designer to determine if their application is a good candidate for FRC+AM. The decision guide is reformulated into a proposed design process that guides the designer to advantageously benefit from AM and FRC characteristics. The tools are illustrated with an example of a composite pressure vessel with integrated pressure reducer

The Composite Materials Manufacturaing HUB - Crowd Sourcing as the Norm

The Composites Manufacturing HUB puts compo- sites manufacturing simulations in the hands of those who need them to invent new and innovative ways to capture the extraordinary benefits of these high perfor- mance products at an acceptable manufactured cost. The HUB provides the user simple browser access to power- ful tools that simulate the actual steps and outcome con- ditions of a complex manufacturing process without the need to download and maintain software in the conven- tional manner. Learning use of the manufacturing simu- lation tools will also be accomplished on the HUB in or- der to allow for continuous learning and growth of the human talent required in composites manufacturing

Experimental investigation of the compressibility and permeability of fabric reinforcements : abstract

ABSTRACT: A measurement method for the out-of-plane permeability is presented in this paper. The developed permeameter is capable to measure both compression as well as the out-of-plane permeability. First results show an out-of-plane permeability that is in accordance with values found elsewhere. The compression test needs some more refinement and is not discussed here. The design of the instrument is such that it is relatively easy to change a preform between subsequent tests. A first attempt has been made to measure the viscosity of the test fluid in-line

Newsroom

Herty AMDC Part of Winning Team – Composites Manufacturing Institute Georgia Southern’s Master in Early Childhood Education Degree Makes Top 25 Programs by The Best School

Built Like a Tank

The Research Institute will lead an Ohio-based team tasked with developing affordable composite natural-gas vehicle fuel tanks under the new Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation announced today by President Barack Obama