Thermoformed composite profiles
scroll down
Creation of radii and spring properties achieved by individual reshaping
Exploitation of material properties moves boundaries in design freedom
The fusibility of thermoplastic matrix polymers allows for thermal forming of wound composites parts after manufacturing.
Maximum design freedom
Subsequent thermoforming of parts made in laser-assisted tape winding enables part geometries that cannot be achieved in any manufacturing process using filament reinforced composite materials. Not only diversions or radii can be achieved, but also alterations of the cross-section geometry.
Economic advantages
Cost reduction through process automation
The outstanding automation potentials of the thermoplastic tape winding process, along with the capacities of thermal forming allow for series manufacturing of parts like conveying pipes that benefit from maximum weight savings or thermal and chemical stability.
Functional integration
Thermoforming also offers the opportunity to add functional integration to composite parts. Wound profiles can be reshaped in order to add a spring effect to their mechanical behavior (e.g. coil spring).