CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/866813
SEPTEMBER 2017 78 CompositesWorld Preforming goes industrial: Part 2 » In CW's July 2017 feature, "Preforming goes industrial, Part 1", CW looked at a variety of processes, each based on automated tape laying (ATL) and/or automated fiber placement (AFP), that have been amended to perform within the 1- and 2-minute cycle-time window required for high-volume (e.g., >100,000 parts/yr) automotive applications. However, much of the automation in preforming to date has employed cutting, placing and forming of woven and/or noncrimp fabrics (NCF). is second installment discusses techniques — both digital and mechanical — that can be applied to speed the forming of such stacked fabrics into three- dimensional (3D) shapes without wrinkles or fiber distortions, but also spotlights methods, including roll- forming derived from metal tube and beam fabrication and the latest developments in tailored fiber place- ment (TFP) technology, that impart 3D shape as an inherent part of the preforming process. By Ginger Gardiner / Senior Editor Automated preforming isn't only for 2D and 2.5D parts. Innovators are taking successful aim at building 3D preforms at production speeds. TFP: 3D preform enabler Shape Machining Ltd.'s (Witney, UK) composite parts production gets automated (see photos, above) using digital design (bottom insert photo), commingled fibers (e.g., carbon and polyamide) and the modified embroi- dery technology that is the foundation of tailored fiber placement (TFP). The resulting ShapeTex preforms (main photo) are ready for pressing into thermoplastic parts (top insert photo) or for use as inserts in injection overmolding processes. Source | ShapeTex