Aerospace, defense production efficiencies define Dieffenbacher presence

Complete Dieffenbacher plant for the production of high-quality components using preforming and RTM. Source (All Images) | Dieffenbacher 

Dieffenbacher’s (Eppingen, Germany) JEC World 2026 booth is focused around composites solutions for the aerospace and defense sectors, including associated plant digitalization solutions.

Production processes presented include the manufacture and processing of sheet molding compounds (SMC), direct long-fiber thermoplastic molding (D-LFT), tape laying technologies, RTM/HP-RTM and preforming. Automation solutions include cutting and stacking systems for precisely producing complex stacks from SMC, prepreg or dry fiber fabrics.

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“We provide our partners and customers with customized plant concepts for aerospace applications such as seat structures, window frames, floor assemblies, fairings, spoilers and other skin elements,” explains Marco Hahn, director sales of the Business Unit Forming. “For the defense sector, we offer hydraulic presses and manufacturing systems for various drone components, ballistic protection equipment, helmets and shields.”

Fully automated Schmidt & Heinzmann Cutting & Stacking Center, consisting of several AutoCut cutting machines, mobile stacking robot with multi-gripper and stacking table.

Since Dieffenbacher’s acquisition of Schmidt & Heinzmann in 2024, the company has successfully integrated its advanced solutions for semi-finished material production lines, pumping, dosing and mixing systems, cutting and stacking centers, and fiber cutting systems into the Dieffenbacher portfolio.

Dieffenbacher Fiberforge, claimed to be the fastest tape laying system in the world, is the heart of the company’s tape laying process. It produces near-net shape laminates from continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic tapes that can be used to manufacture structural composite components or provide local reinforcement. For example, the Fiberforge processes unidirectional (UD) tapes made from high-performance thermoplastics (PAEK/PEEK) — increasingly used in the aerospace industry — into components with optimal deflection behavior, strength, temperature and impact resistance. “Fiberforge makes the processing of thermoplastics faster and more efficient, even for large-scale production,” says Hahn.

For HP-RTM, Dieffenbacher offers fully automated production lines for the economical manufacture of structural and exterior skin components made of carbon fiber (CFRP). Three system units — the PreformCenter, the hydraulic press and the HP-RTM injection unit — ensure maximum efficiency and consistent quality. This process is particularly suitable for components with very high demands for surface quality, strength and stiffness.

FiberForge.

All processes and technologies are supported by Evoris, Dieffenbacher’s modular digitalization platform for hydraulic press systems and complete forming lines. Evoris comprises three solutions: Evoris Intelligence, Evoris Connect and the Evoris Control plant visualization system.

Evoris Intelligence measures, collects and stores plant-wide, manufacturer-independent process and production data at a central location. The system helps manufacturers make their production processes more transparent, efficient and sustainable. It includes Reports app, which evaluates and visualizes all data generated during production. Among other benefits, the app can be used to increase plant availability and improve production performance.

Evoris Connect, a comprehensive digital customer portal, offers an integrated ticket system, an Order Tracker for transparent tracking of spare parts orders and an Equipment Hub to provide customers with a centralized overview of their entire Dieffenbacher machine park. The portal also includes a digital spare parts catalog that enables both documentation and ordering of spare parts directly from drawings. Steady development of additional Evoris Connect apps will provide customers with further advantages.

Dieffenbacher’s presence is complemented by the presentation, “Next Gen production systems for the aerospace industry – A smart and transparent production process,” which Marco Hahn and Michael Ochs, director of sales, Schmidt & Heinzmann, will give on Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. on the Agora stage in Hall 5. The two experts will explain how Dieffenbacher is responding to the aerospace industry’s need for increasingly resource-efficient and intelligent production concepts and, with the help of Evoris, is enabling energy- and resource-efficient series production of lightweight aerospace components.

“The Dieffenbacher booth occupies a new position in Hall 5 compared to previous years,” says Hahn. “We’re prepared and eager to discuss trends in the aerospace, defense and composites industries.”

Visit Dieffenbacher at Booth P101 in Hall 5.