Rapid Automotive Composites Engineering (RACE)

RACE forms a partnership between iCOMAT, the NCC and a UK OEM to develop and commercialise manufacturing methods for hybrid metal-composite parts, aiming at introducing the light-weighting benefits of composites, in a cost-efficient way. Building upon iCOMAT's novel manufacturing technology of Continuous Tow Shearing, the team will test the design and manufacture freedoms of this process by applying it to a representative automotive component. Typical automotive parts are reinforced through multiple internal components. These internal structures can be replaced through the direct deposition of composite tapes that are consolidated in-situ through the iCOMAT technology. This eliminates the need for multiple parts, secondary processes and expensive tooling, improving overall equipment efficiency through reducing downtime.