According to the results in industrial segment, thermoplastic composit materials are expected to cost about 16.4 billion dollars in global market till 2021. Especially, aviation and automotive sectors need light and eco-friendly materials. For this, there is a need for European R&G projects like 3D Lİghttrans as Vandewiele released, in purpose to get rid of the difficulties on operations and the high costs of thermoplastic composit materials.
The Project which is developed by Vandewiele also includes the simulations of all the materials from fibers to the finished part.
Vandewiele VSi42 Intellectual Versatile Spinning Machine
The R&G projects like 3D Lighttrans around Europe with 18 business partnership plays a great role about operating difficulties and the issue of overcoming the high fees of thermoplastic composit materials.
The overall objective of the project was to obtain a smart, versatile weaving machine using the high-performance material technology of Van de Wiele VTR weaving machine at the TU Dresden Textile Institute and the High Performance Material Technology (ITM).
This machine is designed to produce multi-ply fabrics, spacer fabrics, pleated fabrics and fabrics for multi-skin sheets. 3D fiber architecture reduces preforming costs while increasing the performance of other components. Two 3D Lighttrans demonstrator parts were also produced, winning the JEC Composites Innovation Award, one for the Fiat 500L, and the other for Bentley.
R & D Director of Fabric Production Technology at TU Dresden Textile Institute and High Performance Material Technology (ITM), Dr. Gerald Hoffmann stated that: “The development of net-shaped woven fabrics remains the focus of international research. This includes the development of simulation-supported process chains from CAD design to the component, and the adaptation of robot-supported preforms. The use of lightweight materials should result in significant savings in fuel consumption, which will give consumers both financial benefits and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Fully automated production reduces production time and costs.”
