FABFORM - Novel technology to transform fabric into net shape carbon fibre preforms

3D weaving of carbon fibre has been proven as a cost-effective method for producing high quality, large scale, high thickness laminates for use with liquid resin injection processes to produce light-weight composite materials for a variety of industries. However, to create composite preforms for use in the automotive and aerospace industries, a number of additional processes are key to enabling wide spread adoption of the technology. This project therefore focuses on the development of additional processes to create variable thickness, stabilised near net shape preforms and allow a UK SME, Antich & Sons, to move beyond the current state of the art. These preforms will allow efficient use of material within the component, be more easily handled and transported and be the correct size and shape to drop into the moulds used for injection of the composite matrix resin. The developments allow a significant step up the value chain by moving from a weaver of fabric to a manufacturer of advanced composite preforms which are ready for the next step in the manufacturing process.