Grant: Industrial Research Chairs

In order to remain competitive, there is a need for the Canadian aerospace industry to reduce its manufacturing*costs, whilst adding durability and energy efficiency to its products. In this regard the industry has in recent*years placed particular emphasis on carbon fiber composites. These materials whilst satisfying all structural*considerations resulting in enhanced durability and reduced weight have traditionally however not competed*well in terms of manufacturing costs. Recently new automated manufacturing processes such as Automated*Fiber Placement (AFP) have shown significant promise in composite manufacturing cost reduction and much*research has been carried out resulting in extensive application to recent major platforms such as the Boeing*787 Dreamliner. Though AFP processing of thermoset matrix materials has provided significant manufacturing*cost reduction, there remain further gains to be achieved should the processing be extended to thermoplastic*matrix materials. Here it is possible to consolidate material directly on to the tool face with no requirement for*autoclave post processing and this combined with other specialist thermoplastic processing such as*thermo-stamping and thermo-forming promises significant further cost reductions.The overall objective of this*Industrial Research Chair (IRC) is therefore to develop novel scientific and technical know-how relating to the*ACM of primary aerospace structures with a special focus on thermoplastic matrix materials. The automation*is based on robotic systems conducive with the emerging cyber physical system developments in the aircraft*industry and ""Factory of the Future"" composite primary structure manufacture. Graduate students employed in*this program will be provided with an exceptional level of experience at the facilities of both Concordia and*Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd., so that they may enter the workforce with the skills required to exploit*the developed technologies and derived tools to strengthen the position of the Canadian aerospace industry in*the global market place.