Nico Liebers

Interactive Manufacturing Process Parameter Control

The most critical step within the process chain is the curing of the matrix because here the different semi-finished products are transformed into a completely new compound material. In case of thermoset matrix systems all geometrical characteristics of the produced composite component are frozen as well. Tolerances in the chemical composition of the matrix or simple aging aspects can influence the crosslinking reaction while typical weight tolerances of the fibre product may affect the fibre content, the laminate thickness or even the global geometrical shape of the composite component through the so called “Spring-In” phenomenon. Interactively controlling the curing step is a promising approach to solve most of the above mentioned problems.

Qualitätsgesicherte Fertigung Von Faserkunststoffverbund-Bauteilen

Im Forschungsthema „Neuartige Fahrzeugstrukturen“ (NFS) des Deutschen Zentrums fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) werden in Braunschweig optimierte Fertigungskonzepte fur Spant- und Spaceframe-Bauweisen erforscht. Mit der im Projekt „Online-Qualitatssicherung im Autoklaven“ (OnQA) entwickelten und speziell auf die NFS-Projektanforderungen angepassten intelligenten Prozesssteuerung mittels Ultraschall wird eine deutliche Erhohung der Bauteilqualitat, das heist reduzierte Dickentoleranz erreicht.

Quality-Controlled manufacturing of composite structures

As part of the novel vehicle structures (NFS) research project at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Braunschweig, research is taking place into improved manufacturing concepts for rib and space frame designs. The intelligent process control system using ultrasound, which was developed during the OnQA project (Online Quality Assurance in Autoclave Processing) and specially adapted to the requirements of the NFS project, produces a significant increase in component quality, in other words, reduced thickness tolerance.