Efficient and intelligent curing of composite materials using high power microwaves
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | PercyRoc AB - PercyRoc AB, Uppsala |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 300 000 |
| Project duration | April 2019 - December 2019 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Innovative Startups |
Purpose and goal
We have fulfilled the main goal of the project developing a demonstrator that allows us to show the key elements of our microwave curing technology, see annex. This is demonstrating the feedback approach for the curing process using an IR-camera to provide feedback on the current state and adjust the setting of the microwave sources accordingly. The demonstrator setup is composed of 4 microwave sources. We have initiated the collaboration with RISE, SAAB and Ampleon, DIAS, DLR, etc. fulfilling the goal of establishing lasting collaborations for larger verification projects.
Expected results and effects
The successful realization of the project resulted in the implementation of both hardware and software parts of the demonstrator. A Master work was realised in collaboration with Uppsala University. The project resulted in a close collaboration with Ampleon, a global semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in the Netherlands and DLR, the German Aerospace Center. This is a very important partner for us for the homologation of the microwave process for aerospace applications and it opens access at national (SAAB, BLACKWING) and international level (AIRBUS, BOEING, EMBRAER).
Planned approach and implementation
The project resulted in a total of 750h in kind contribution by the company partners developing hardware, software and the business. In the future, we aim to extend the number of microwave generators and develop minimum viable products: (i) multiple signal generators and (ii) power amplifiers, for which we identified a market. We aim also for the homologation of the process. The exposure box and feedback by IR camera were demonstrated, as well as the software and need further developments. The curing process for composites will start thanks to a small project in collaboration with RISE.