NSERC/Bell Helicopter Textron Industrial Research Chair in Automated Composites Manufacturing

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In order to remain competitive, there is a need for the Canadian aerospace industry to reduce its manufacturing**costs, whilst adding durability and energy efficiency to its products. In this regard the industry has in recent**years placed particular emphasis on carbon fiber composites. These materials whilst satisfying all structural**considerations resulting in enhanced durability and reduced weight have traditionally however not competed**well in terms of manufacturing costs. Recently new automated manufacturing processes such as Automated**Fiber Placement (AFP) have shown significant promise in composite manufacturing cost reduction and much**research has been carried out resulting in extensive application to recent major platforms such as the Boeing**787 Dreamliner. Though AFP processing of thermoset matrix materials has provided significant manufacturing**cost reduction, there remain further gains to be achieved should the processing be extended to thermoplastic**matrix materials. Here it is possible to consolidate material directly on to the tool face with no requirement for**autoclave post processing and this combined with other specialist thermoplastic processing such as**thermo-stamping and thermo-forming promises significant further cost reductions.The overall objective of this**Industrial Research Chair (IRC) is therefore to develop novel scientific and technical know-how relating to the**ACM of primary aerospace structures with a special focus on thermoplastic matrix materials. The automation**is based on robotic systems conducive with the emerging cyber physical system developments in the aircraft**industry and "Factory of the Future" composite primary structure manufacture. Graduate students employed in**this program will be provided with an exceptional level of experience at the facilities of both Concordia and**Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd., so that they may enter the workforce with the skills required to exploit**the developed technologies and derived tools to strengthen the position of the Canadian aerospace industry in**the global market place.