Net-shape joining technology to manufacture 3D multi-materials components based on metal alloys and thermoplastic composites
ComMUnion enables productive and cost effective manufacturing of 3D metal/ Carbon Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic (CFRT) multi-material components.ComMUnion will develop a novel solution combining tape placement of CFRTs with controlled laser-assisted heating in a multi-stage robot solution. High-speed laser texturing and cleaning will overcome the limitations of current joining technology to provide greatest performance joints.
ComMUnion will rely on a robot-based approach enabling on-line inspection for layer-to-layer self-adjustment of the process. Moreover, tools for multi-scale modelling, parametric offline programming, quality diagnosis and decision support will be developed under a cognitive approach to ensure interoperability and usability.
ComMUnion will address the following key innovations:
- Texturing and cleaning based on high speed laser scanning for surface condition.
- High-speed spatially resolved control of surface temperature profile.
- Multi-scale metal/CFRP modelling, self-adaptive process control, and quality diagnosis based on multimodal active imaging.
ComMUnion approach will decrease by 30% the consumption of titanium and boron steel, (costly alloys requiring critical materials).
Besides, reinforcement of textured metallic surfaces with CFRT tapes will increase mechanical performance of multi-material components over 30% without cost increase.
Manufacturing of two pilot-cases for automotive and aeronautics will demonstrate the scalability of the joining process.
It will be possible trough a consortium with a strong involvement of industrial partners (73% of which 55% are SMEs).
The outline of the business plan ensures the exploitation of the project results. With a target market of 2.000 companies and a fair estimate of 2% market penetration (5 years after the commercialization start), ComMUnion will result in 40M€/year incomes.
| Website: | http://communionproject.eu/ |
| Duration: | 42 months |
| Start date: | 12-01-2015 |
| End date: | 31-05-2019 |
| Number of participants: | 16 |
| Total budget - EC contribution: | 5917392 Euro - 4863011 Euro |
| Call topic: | Industrial technologies for advanced joining and assembly processes of multi-materials (FoF.NMPB.2015.12) |
| Instrument: | Collaborative project (generic) |
Added value and impact - (10) close
Technologies and enablers - (9) close
Standards, standardisation and regulation - (1) close
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