Increased efficiency in production of composite applications at SMEs

Purpose and goal

The project has successfully developed and tested a fiber spray-up robot technique, with adapted pre- and injection molds (P4 technique). With smarter manufacturing, lighter and new, more environmentally friendly materials and applications, it is confirmed that the level of automation in the composite industry can be significantly increased. An industry constellation with resources to utilize the P4 method in large series, with increased efficiency in a healthy environment, may give the Swedish composite industry significant competitive advantages in the future.

Expected results and effects

The pilot project has generated a basis for a continuation towards a development where the P4 - technology can be verified in an industrial environment of an operating system provider in the composite industry. The first step in this direction can be to collaborate with Swerea SICOMP and the larger composite manufacturers in the market. The technology has in that setting a great potential to be developed and made more efficient. New materials and eventually greener matrices for the SME manufacturers needs to be verified in a controlled environment.

Planned approach and implementation

With the intention to identify companies in the composite industry, where the 40 most relevant mapped companies has a turnover of approximately 1.5 billion, the project has taken major steps toward collaboration in a well-segmented and geographically dispersed industry. Companies such as Aplicator welcome further initiatives to develop the level of automation among their Swedish clients and partners. The ability to utilize direct knowledge from researchers at Chalmers and KTH in the project has lead the way for the future, where SMEs can take advantage of new opportunities.