The Eurecat technology centre has developed thermoplastic composite window frames for regional aircraft using advanced industrial manufacturing processes to reduce part weight and production costs.
The innovation comes under the WINFRAME 4.0 project which “has enabled us to draw on thermoplastic composites for building regional aircraft and also develop faster and more reliable processes by using carbon fibre-reinforced polymers and innovative manufacturing concepts,” says María Eugenia Rodríguez, the director of Eurecat’s Composites Unit.
The innovation undertaken “demonstrates the potential of Industry 4.0 when it comes to solving technological problems in manufacturing processes for complex thermoplastic-based structures,” she adds. It shows they “can meet the challenges posed by new sustainability standards and the circular economy.”
Coordinated by Eurecat, WINFRAME 4.0 has been run under the CleanSky 2 call with LEONARDO as topic manager and the support of Sofitec Aero.
On the technical side, WINFRAME 4.0 has involved implementing “out-of-autoclave” technology which makes for significant cost savings in the manufacture of lightweight structural parts in the aeronautical industry.
The Composite Materials Unit has led the design and manufacture of the tooling coupled with validation of the process by building the thermoplastic composite window frame demonstrators while Sofitec Aero has assembled the complete window.
