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 manufacturingcosts, whilst adding durability and energy efficiency to its products. In this regard the industry has in recentyears placed particular emphasis on carbon fiber composites. These materials whilst satisfying all structuralconsiderations resulting in enhanced durability and reduced weight have traditionally however not competedwell in terms of manufacturing costs. Recently new automated manufacturing processes such as AutomatedFiber Placement (AFP) have shown significant promise in composite manufacturing cost reduction and muchresearch has been carried out resulting in extensive application to recent major platforms such as the Boeing787 Dreamliner. Though AFP processing of thermoset matrix materials has provided significant manufacturingcost reduction, there remain further gains to be achieved should the processing be extended to thermoplasticmatrix materials. Here it is possible to consolidate material directly on to the tool face with no requirement forautoclave post processing and this combined with other specialist thermoplastic processing such asthermo-stamping and thermo-forming promises significant further cost reductions.The overall objective of thisIndustrial Research Chair (IRC) is therefore to develop novel scientific and technical know-how relating to theACM of primary aerospace structures with a special focus on thermoplastic matrix materials. The automationis based on robotic systems conducive with the emerging cyber physical system developments in the aircraftindustry and "Factory of the Future" composite primary structure manufacture. Graduate students employed inthis program will be provided with an exceptional level of experience at the facilities of both Concordia andBell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd., so that they may enter the workforce with the skills required to exploitthe developed technologies and derived tools to strengthen the position of the Canadian aerospace industry inthe global market place.