Auto-NCF

 

Continuous Quality Surveillance and Assurance During Mass Production of Non-Crimp Fabrics

Fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP) have almost reached mass production (> 100000 pieces p.a.). This concerns aviation and automobile industry as well as wind energy industry and general mechanical engineering. Non-crimp fabrics (NCF) are established as reinforcements of FVKs. NCF are defined as stretched and parallel lying layers of rovings or yarn sheets, which are joined together with or without the help of additional materials. Non-crimp fabrics are produced economically on warp-knitting machines with multiaxial weft insertion.

The production of non-crimp fabrics is classified as a highly productive process, however without comprehensive quality surveillance or assurance of the system technology. The aim of the project is therefore the development of a warp-knitting machine with a continuous quality surveillance system, “online”-quality assurance and quality documentation with an error map. The IfU develops the online-control system responsible for the continuous and holistic quality assurance during the production of NCFs.

 

RESERACH PARTNERS Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA), RWTH Aachen, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirt. Ing. Thomas Gries (automation of the braid process) Assoc. Institute for Management Cybernetics e.V. (IfU), RWTH Aachen, Prof. Dr. Sabina Jeschke (overall coordination and examination of economic feasibility) Metrology and Quality Management (WZL), RWTH Aachen, Prof. Robert Schmitt (online quality assurance during the braid process)

 

INDUSTRY PARTNERS apodius BST ProControl CTC (Airbus) Gimpel Imperia KARL MAYER Malimo LIBA Maschinenfabrik Protechna Herbst SAERTEX SURAGUS TK Industries Zertrox