Process Technology for Fibers and Textiles

The Process Technology for Fibers and Textiles group focuses on manufacturing processes that can arrange fibers in tailored orientations. Such processes allow the fibers to be aligned with the load paths within the composite component. We have three teams covering research into braiding technology, automated fiber placement and tailored textiles. We are utilizing highly developed and unique processing equipment that allows for the automated and reproducible manufacturing of fiber preforms. Depending on the manufacturing method - dry fiber bundles, pre-impregnated or dry fibrous tapes with binder as well as different textile fabrics are used as raw materials.

Our main research goals are:

• Fundamental understanding, evaluation and optimization of our processing techniques to eventually decrease manufacturing costs and reduce material consumption,

• The generation of load-optimized fiber architectures as net-shape preforms that closely fit the geometry of the final parts,

• The recording of process-relevant manufacturing parameters and the local fiber orientation with online monitoring systems to control the process and evaluate the impact on the properties of the finished composite component.

Automated Fiber Placement

With two of most advanced fiber placement machines in the world, for both thermoplastic and thermoset materials, we are working on challenging components with complex geometries We are characterizing innovative materials and developing new design strategies for future fiber placement applications.

Braiding Technology

We are working on integrating our braiding equipment into a manufacturing cell to enable efficient and fully automated manufacturing of low-waste fiber preforms with enhanced material properties.

Tailored Textiles

By combining innovative processes for the manufacturing of textiles, we are developing strategies for future preform production of net-shape, load-optimized composite fiber structures.