Engel develops automated high-rate process for TPC drone blades
SNAPSHOT: Thermoplastic composite UD tapes placed along load paths and overmolded in a single cycle achieve lightweight structure with functional integration, ready for mass production.
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Source | ENGEL
In collaboration with multiple partners, ENGEL (Schwertberg, Austria) has developed a scalable lightweight design for drone propeller blades combining unidirectional (UD) carbon fiber tapes with injection molding for a fully automated, high-volume process.
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Load-oriented design: Fiber tapes placed along stress paths enable maximum stiffness at minimal weight
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Integrated production: Tape placement and overmolding in one cycle deliver series-ready speeds
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Functional integration: Structural, acoustic, and mounting features combined in a single part
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Thermoplastic composites advantage: Lightweight, recyclable and suitable for mass production
Why it matters for mobility
This technology accelerates the shift from metal and thermoset composites to fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites, enabling lighter EV structures, fewer parts and more cost-efficient high-volume composite parts production.
As composite performance meets injection-molding productivity, applications will expand rapidly across EVs, aerospace, and micro-mobility. ENGEL is helping turn advanced composites into industrial reality, opening new possibilities for scalable lightweight mobility design.
Source | ENGEL LinkedIn post
Read more about propeller blades in CW news and articles.
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