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Herone participating in research project InPro

02 Nov '20

2 min read

Pic: Herone

Herone has become part of a research project called InPro – which is part of the aviation research programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BmWi). In the project, complex composite hollow profiles based on high-performance thermoplastics, such as PEEK, PPS or PPA will be manufactured continuously for the first time.

The project is being supported by the international partners Victrex and Boeing for deployment. Herone will contribute its already industrialised discontinuous production capabilities to the project.

The project InPro - Integral lightweight thermoplastic composite profile structures functionalised in the injection moulding process - is being funded by the German federal ministry for economic affairs and energy (BmWi) as part of the civil aviation research programme for three years until the end of 2023.

The interval hot pressing for hollow profiles, also known as the Continuous Blow Moulding (CBM) process, serves as the basis for the new project. It is a novel semi-continuous approach that was invented, tested and patented by the founders of the Herone during their time as research associates at the ILK of the TU Dresden. The CBM process combines the blow moulding technology with a Continuous Compression Moulding (CCM) process to enable a continuous, resource-saving and efficient production of composite hollow profiles.

Despite this semi-continuous manufacturing principle, profiles with variable laminate layups and cross sections can be manufactured, enabling the continuous production of locally reinforced hollow profiles. This is especially important in highly stressed areas, such as load introduction.

In the research project, the CBM processed high-performance PEEK polymers will be further developed and combined with the injection moulding technology to allow for additional functionalisation of the composite profiles. The subsequent injection moulding step enables the integration of functional elements (eg gears, levers, sealing surfaces, integral composite threads) into the basic component via form-fitting connections or a combination of form-fitting and cohesive joints. Targeted components include tension-compression struts, drive shafts as well as media-carrying and -storage systems, eg liquid hydrogen pipes.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)