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.
Latest Machining/Drilling Articles
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Belotti, Cosberg partner for advanced automated assembly solutions
The Italy-based companies merge technological know-how to develop novel systems for the processing and assembly of light alloys and carbon fiber components.
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Optimizing machining for composites: Tool designs, processes and Industry 4.0 systems
Hufschmied moves beyond optimized milling and drilling tools to develop SonicShark inline quality control system and Cutting Edge World cloud platform for optimized tool use and processes.
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From the CW Archives: Drilling is not for the faint of heart
This edition of From the CW Archives revisits CW’s first plant tour — a visit to the F-35 FAL in Fort Worth, Texas — and a story by Ginger Gardiner a few years later. Both offer lessons on how to perform stacked drilling through composite and metallic materials.
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State-of-the-art composites cutting, machining solutions ensure accuracy, ease of operation
JEC World 2024: Compcut is presenting its advanced composites saw (ACS) and precision composite router (PCR), in addition to inviting attendees to bring their own materials for demonstration purposes.
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ATL Composites collaboration advances kite-foil board production for Paris Olympics
Breiana Whitehead, pioneering Australian kite-foil sailor, spearheads board design intricacies with ATL Composites to enhance her performance ahead of the July 2024 competition.
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Specialized cutting tool equipment accommodates automotive requirements
CAMX 2023: Hufschmied’s machining systems, particularly the company’s 194/195 T-Rex cutting tools and carbide cutting blades, are being presented for use on plastics, composites and other materials.
Read MoreKnowledge Centers
The composites industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative of sustainability in its operations. As demand for lightweight and durable materials rises across various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, and construction, there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with traditional composite manufacturing processes.
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CompositesWorld’s CW Tech Days: Infrastructure event offers a series of expert presentations on composite materials, processes and applications that should and will be considered for use in the infrastructure and construction markets.
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Closed mold processes offer many advantages over open molding. This knowledge center details the basics of closed mold methods and the products and tools essential to producing a part correctly.
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Latest Machining/Drilling News And Updates
Loop Technology robotic machining system works with harder materials
The RoboMach HA is a high-accuracy robotic machining system that can work with a range of materials, including cured composites.
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C.R. Onsrud breaks ground for machine shop expansion
Multi-phase expansion includes 9,900-square-foot addition to facility and purchase of new equipment to better serve aerospace, marine, composites and other industries.
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German UniFix project develops mobile holding fixture to enhance production efficiency of large CFRP structures
Fraunhofer IFAM and Airbus Operations in Stade demonstrate reduced manual handling and non-productive time in flow-oriented manufacturing of vertical tail plane.
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Artificial intelligence optimizes CNC milling of carbon fiber-reinforced composites
The Augsburg AI Production Network — DLR Center for Lightweight Production Technology (ZLP), Fraunhofer IGCV and University of Augsburg — use ultrasonic sensors to correlate sound to quality in composites machining.
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CAMX 2021 exhibit preview: Autonational
Autonational highlights its capabilities in automated filament winding and CNC machining, including a recent case study from a utility vehicle manufacturer.
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CAMX 2021 exhibit preview: Europe Technologies
Europe Technologies highlights its robotic finishing cells and ultrasonic cutting solutions.
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Featured Posts
Plant tour: Joby Aviation, Marina, Calif., U.S.
As the advanced air mobility market begins to take shape, market leader Joby Aviation works to industrialize composites manufacturing for its first-generation, composites-intensive, all-electric air taxi.
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Laboratory for Intelligent Lightweight Production at CTC Stade advances digital solutions for industrial composites
Four-year, 12-million-euro LaiLa project with Helmut Schmidt University combines R&D with industry collaboration to solve real production pain points, validate solutions in digital lab/model factory at CTC and transfer knowledge to supply chain including customized training.
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Plant tour: Bucci Composites, Faenza, Italy
A stalwart in Italy’s “Motor Valley” opens its doors for a discussion and exploration of the company’s history in composites manufacturing for high-performance cars and other applications.
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Virgin Orbit automates composites machining processes for LauncherOne rockets
Part of the company’s larger strategy for reducing cycle times and labor costs on its composite-intensive rockets, a customized machine center from Multiax America solves composite machining challenges.
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Best practices in the CNC machining of composites
Machining composite materials is a challenging task. Proper tool selection, machine settings and process innovations help make it manageable.
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Using sensor data to improve composite parts and processes
nebumind software builds digital twins from manufacturing data to trace defects, compare manufactured parts, qualify processes, develop tolerance windows for process monitoring and more.
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