Automated Composites Manufacturing Technology Centre (ACM-TC)

Towards automation of composites manufacturing
The Automated Composites Manufacturing Technology Centre (ACM-TC) was established in 2004 at the National Aerospace Laboratory in the Netherlands (NLR) to prepare the way towards automated manufacturing of advanced composite structures, largely in support of the "composites" industry, but also of enterprises, which are new to this material. The centre brings together the complementary research capabilities of research centres, universities and specialised small enterprises and a consortium has been formed of industries as members.

Pioneer technology to achieve competitiveness
The vision of the ACM-TC is "to pioneer innovative fabrication technologies for composites with potential for automation" and thereby "to enhance the competitiveness of its members", by conducting applied research and carry out development programmes up to the level of full scale prototypes.

A co-operation of partners with complementary capabilities
ACM-TC is a co-operation formed by partners and members. Partners are offering services and facilities to help the industry prepare for automated composites manufacturing by contributing to or carrying out R&D projects. Members are industries, which are actively pursuing new automation technologies to manufacture composite structures. Co-operation is not limited to the national scale, ACM-TC is eager to extend the co-operation internationally.

Develop insight in fabrication technologies
The primary aim of ACM-TC is to develop the insight in automated composites manufacturing techniques that industries need before they can apply new technologies to their particular applications. This is achieved by providing the expertise and facilities that are essential for the development of automated manufacturing technologies for advanced composites. Thereby, most aspects with regard to the implementation of the technology at the industry can be covered before large investments are being made. Fabricating full-scale prototypes and pre-series can validate new concepts.

Affordability
The primary drive for low cost lightweight composite structures has resulted in a number of new technologies with potential for automation. For thermoset materials, low cost fabrication can be achieved with automated preform fabrication, such as braiding and automated tow placement, followed by one of various resin injection techniques. Low cost fabrication of thermoplastic components can be achieved by press forming and by fibre placement with in-situ consolidation. Other processes may require the use of an autoclave. ACM-TC and its partners provide the expertise and facilities for all of these techniques.

Facilities of ACM-TC
The core of ACM-TC is the R&D facility for composites manufacturing at NLR. With the financial support of the provincial government, an automated fibre placement machine was procured from Automated Dynamics (ADC), which arrived at NLR in 2005. The strong endorsement of a number of industrial members was crucial for this procurement. Other equipment consists of an automated RTM-machine with full process monitoring and control features, an autoclave, a C-scan, and clean rooms and a well-equipped testhouse to perform material qualification and structural certification programmes. Beside the facilities at NLR ACM-TC partners each bring in their specific facilities such as braiding machines at Eurocarbon and fundamental reasearch facilities at the universities of Delft and Twente.

Contracts and projects
ACM-TC carries out R&D projects together with industries with a specific need. A consortium is formed, and a joint research proposal is formulated and propose for funding. The industry has full access to the facilities where the developments are taking place. With in-house funding or with funding acquired singularly, partners of ACM-TC also carry out independent research projects, aimed at extending the capabilities of ACM-TC, or to explore novel technologies. Participation in EU-projects is also pursued. Workshops are organised twice a year for all participants, to present non-confidential project results, to stimulate discussions, to define new research topics and to develop new opportunities.


Activities within ACM-TC
Within the ACM Technology Centre the following type of activities are carried out:
  • Research and Development
    • Basic research towards novel technologies for automated composites manufacturing
    • Feasibility and trade-off studies for specific applications
    • Technology demonstrations at component level
    • Concept development and prototyping for automated fabrication of composite structures
    • Small series production
  • European demonstration centre for ADC's automated fibre placement equipment
  • Education via courses and student projects
  • Support for "the region" and for "small and medium enterprises"

Industrial members and their products

Partner Expertise
Ten Cate Advanced Composites Thermoplastic materials
Stork Fokker AESP Aero-Structures
Stork SP Aerospace B.V. Landing gears
Dutch Space Space Structures
Eurocarbon B.V. Braiding technology
Airborne International Composite structures
Futura Filament wound structures
SKF Dutch Skil B.V. Offshore, Windturbine Technology

Original document: http://www.nlr.nl/smartsite.dws?id=9053