Painting in the sky: freedom for manufacturing lightweight engineered structures
Lead Participant:
FAR-UK LTD
Abstract
Lightweight materials are the next pit-stop in the challenge of reducing mass, and therefore curb reduce
emissions, to improve fuel economy in the vehicle industry. But it has to be done economically. This project
will develop a breakthrough cost-effective continuous extrusion process for composite beam manufacturing.
The innovative continuous extrusion process will move away from traditional high-waste composite
manufacturing methods. It will offer flexibility in the dimensions of the beam along its length, width and height,
supporting end-users’ needs. The tailored and bespoke structural beams will require minimal tooling. This
technology could also work for other sectors e.g. heavy goods vehicles and rail. The main project outputs are
the continuous low-waste and affordable extrusion process. The sonication process developed at
Loughborough University allows microscture development that gives the required properties. The underlying
materials science has been demonstrated but requires some development in the area of transport. This project
will take this and show that components can be manufactured, moving the technology from low to mid TRLs.
emissions, to improve fuel economy in the vehicle industry. But it has to be done economically. This project
will develop a breakthrough cost-effective continuous extrusion process for composite beam manufacturing.
The innovative continuous extrusion process will move away from traditional high-waste composite
manufacturing methods. It will offer flexibility in the dimensions of the beam along its length, width and height,
supporting end-users’ needs. The tailored and bespoke structural beams will require minimal tooling. This
technology could also work for other sectors e.g. heavy goods vehicles and rail. The main project outputs are
the continuous low-waste and affordable extrusion process. The sonication process developed at
Loughborough University allows microscture development that gives the required properties. The underlying
materials science has been demonstrated but requires some development in the area of transport. This project
will take this and show that components can be manufactured, moving the technology from low to mid TRLs.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
FAR-UK LTD | £121,067 | £ 84,748 |
  | ||
Participant |
||
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY | £119,897 | £ 119,897 |
INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
Kevin Lindsey (Project Manager) |