Machining/Drilling of Composites

Machining and drilling processes in composites present unique challenges due to the heterogeneous nature of these materials. Composite structures, often composed of different layers and materials, require specialized techniques to maintain integrity and precision during machining or drilling. Traditional methods used for metals can cause delamination, fiber pullout, or damage to the composite structure. Therefore, specialized tools, such as diamond or carbide-tipped equipment, and specific cutting parameters are employed to ensure clean cuts without compromising the material's integrity.

Modular, hybrid machining centers with intelligence for complex composites
Machining/Drilling

Modular, hybrid machining centers with intelligence for complex composites

Machine Tool Camp’s purpose-built systems combine CNC machine centers and robots with specialized machining tools, clamping and configuration, automating steps before and after, including data integration, to empower manufacturers for the future.

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Toray Advanced Composites hi-temperature materials

Latest Machining/Drilling Articles

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TMI Offers Machined Net-Shape Rohacell Foam Core Services

Technology Marketing Inc. expands its composites offerings with high-precision five-axis CNC machining of Rohacell structural foam core, delivering certified, complex net-shape parts.

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Keramikblech OCMC Scales in Volume

SNAPSHOT: Oxide ceramic matrix composite panels and 1,600 laser-cut parts with same quality across each were delivered in 6 weeks, as part of 2X growth as CMC materials prove value in high-temp applications across markets.

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Automation

MSP enables Pentaxia to eliminate composite part concessions, reduce production time by 50%

PerfectPart metrology solutions turned a time-consuming, high-risk and high-pressure process into a more reliable, automated machining strategy.

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Carbon Fibers

HPCFK consortium advances single-flute gundrilling with CFRP

SNAPSHOT: A composite shaft design has been found to improve the vibrations inherent to deep-hole drilling.

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Southern Spars five-axis investment accelerates composites manufacturing capabilities

CNC machining center boosts the composite rigs and sailing systems manufacturer’s precision, speed and project complexity capabilities for superyacht, grand prix and other marine sectors.  

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Belotti, Moi Composites launch hybrid additive/subtractive manufacturing centers for thermoset composites

Printing of rigid, thermoset composites with up to 45% fiber can be paused and restarted or added to functionalize prebuilt surfaces and are easily machined with full range of Belotti CNC centers, including as a retrofit option.

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GracoRoberts in-stock composite materials
Turn-Key Pultrusion Systems
Hydraulic & Pneumatic Presses
Composite prepreg cure testing
GracoRoberts in-stock composite materials

Latest Machining/Drilling News And Updates

Fives, Prestige Equipment partnership expands customer options for equipment life cycle management

Metal and composites manufacturers will be more comprehensively supported with high-quality used machine tools, asset recovery and modernization.

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Automation

Ideko participates in ROBOCOMP project for flexible, zero-emissions aerospace manufacturing

Precision and digitization contributions replacing heavy machinery with flexible robotic cells enable critical machining operations on carbon fiber parts and other production processes to be adapted and scaled.

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Portal milling machine investment enables Sawyer Composites’ turnkey project success

Sawyer Composites overcomes accuracy and downtime issues when designing, engineering and manufacturing composite tooling and structures using Zimmermann’s FZU22 system.

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Marine

All-CFRP, 125-foot-long Nomad 7 sailing catamaran to be launched in 2026

SNAPSHOT: SMM Composites, Multiplast and Avel Robotics work together on the vessel’s massive carbon fiber composite structures being built at FC Cube shipyard in France.

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Thermwood launches You Betcha video series 

Each episode is designed to be informative, approachable and rooted in real production needs, offering clear, practical insight into what Thermwood CNC machining systems can do.

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Orbex makes part setup 900% faster for key composite parts ahead of inaugural rocket launch

The introduction of MSP metrology products have ensured right-first-time machining for Orbex as it ramps up production of its carbon fiber Payload Avionic Module.

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Featured Posts

Coatings

Plant tour: FACC AG, Jakovlje, Croatia

Part of its long-term global strategy, Plant 6 is not just a single facility, but FACC’s Aircraft Interiors Center of Excellence, key for increased production, new composite technology for interiors flexibility and future growth.

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Addressing rivet hole drilling challenges for aerospace composites

Kennametal explores technological advancements in composite drilling, including stacked laminates, to meet aerospace applications and sustainability challenges.

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Aerospace

Seven tips for machining composite aerospace components

Machining composite materials is a dusty, arduous and abrasive process that is hard on cutting tools, requiring the right combination of strategies and know-how to properly navigate their dynamics.

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VIDEO: Robots enable nine-axis machining of composites

Machine Tool Camp displayed its hybrid machining center at CAMX, featuring nine-axis machining capability enabled by robotics. 

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Core

VIDEO: Precision fabrication of honeycomb materials

MachineTek showcases its precision fabrication of honeycomb materials at CAMX 2024.

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Developing milling for CMC because grinding takes too long

Economical processes that can cut machining time by 70% are being tested on aeroengine turbine blade demonstrators by Hufschmied and DLR in the SCANCUT project.

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VIRTEK IRIS AI COMPOSITE INSPECTION
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