Next Thermoplastic Composite Manufacturing Solutions

Thermoplastic composites as structural and lightweight materials contribute to the reduction of energy consumption for lightweight (electric) mobility and serve as corrosion-resistant heat exchanger plates for hydrogen systems. In recent years, SMEs in the programme area have developed several of these materials. However, large-scale production is lacking because it lacks the resources and lack the expertise to invest in scale-up facilities.Within this Lighthouse pilot project, Next TPC Manufacturing Solutions (next TPMS), a pilot line will be installed and used for the development of production solutions for the production of the above-mentioned components. The composite materials to be used are preferably circular and/or biobased.The pilo-project aims to set up the following facilities:<ul><li>Large production press for large TPC materials and components for lightweight mobility and renewable energy (up to 1.2 x 2.8 m)</li><li>Moulds that use 3D metal printed materials to reduce costs and lower energy consumption.</li><li>Materials laboratory for customization and refinement of TPC materials, including laboratory press and equipment for testing materials.</li><li>An integrated automated TPC fabrication cell for "Automated Component Manufacturing".&nbsp;</li></ul>Due to the open nature of this center, many companies can make use of this pilot plant for their own upscaling.&nbsp;OrganisationCATO Composites (CATO) is the project leader of this Lighthouse pilot-project. Saxion's TPAC contributes as project partner. This Lighthouse pilot-project is linked to the other two: the TPC production process to be developed will be used for battery housings (lighthouse 2) and includes the use of 3D printed metal inserts (lighthouse 3). CATO and RTC, University of Duisburg Essen will be involved in the subject of cost-effective forming tools using using 3D (metal) printing. The Zentrum fuer Brennstoffzellentechnik, ZBT participates in the topic of TPC Heat Exchanger Plates.