PRODKOMP, Competitive production processes for multi-material components

Purpose and goal

The purpose and the objective of the project were to give the companies involved a basis for decision to take the next step in the development of production processes for hybrid structures with metal and composite. This objective is considered fulfilled since one of the concepts investigated, steel/composite, is planned to continue with a larger research proposal where the manufacturing process is planned to be developed to TRL 5-6. The other concept, aluminum/composite, is more challenging and would need more research on lower TRL.

Expected results and effects

For the concept that is planned to be taken further, the current project has led to a manufacturing process currently at TRL 3-4 with strong potential to reach TRL 5-6 in a continuation project. The thought of manufacturing process is also efficient and possible to automate in a way that composite processes traditionally are not. The expected effects after a continuation project is that the companies involved should have sufficient knowledge (from a manufacturing point of view) to quote and start manufacturing of hybrid structures to customers.

Planned approach and implementation

The project has been managed by Swerea SICOMP but a large portion of the practical work has been made by the industrial partners. Since there is competition between some of the partners in the project the common project meetings has not discussed technical details within the companies core values but treated questions of common interest. Technical details about the production process have been discussed in smaller groups within the work packages. As a research institute Swerea SICOMP has had insight in both work packages.