The AMRC Composite Centre is a state-of-the-art facility for advanced composite manufacturing research and development.
We extend the AMRC’s expertise in metals production into the new generation of carbon fibre composite materials. These materials are increasingly used in aerospace, marine, automotive and other high-value industries for their combination of light weight and high strength. But they also present a host of manufacturing challenges.
Our research focuses on the production and machining of composite components, including hybrid parts which combine high-performance metals and composites in a single structure. Such structures can provide significant weight savings while maintaining the highest material and structural performance, offering improved fuel efficiency for aerospace and other transport applications.
The AMRC Composite Centre has three core technology themes, which we bring together to address real business problems:
Automated production
Automating the composite lay-up process is a vital step in commercialising the technology for higher-throughput production. Our automated tape/tow placement (ATP) robot is capable of producing new kinds of fibre-placed structures which are complex and finely detailed than those in current aerospace manufacturing. We are also investigating the use of automated manufacturing cells, to increase throughput and reduce errors by minimising human involvement in the production process.
Machining
We build on the AMRC’s world-leading research in advanced machining technology to address the challenges of cutting composite materials. We are developing innovative techniques for drilling, trimming, surface machining and stack machining, and working with industrial partners to develop new cutting tools and machining fluids.
Advanced curing technologies
Using microwaves in place of thermal ovens to cure fibre-reinforced composite structures can reduce production time and energy use while maintaining or improving material quality. Recent advances in this technology have created the potential to use microwaves for the rapid curing of thermosetting and thermoplastic composites on an industrial scale.
The AMRC Composite Centre is a member of the Composites at Sheffield partnership.
For more information, please contact:
Richard Scaife, AMRC Composite Centre Manager
email: r.scaife@amrc.co.uk