Page 23 - ILK Research Report 2020

Thermoplastic Processing Contact Person

The manufacturing of promising lightweight structures demands the availabil-
ity of efficient and networked process chains. With this in mind, the research
carried out by the Expert Group on Thermoplastic Processes targets maxi-
mum efficiency throughout the entire value chain and the ambitious goal of
a closed material cycle with simultaneous reduction of energy requirements.

To this end, the expert group manages a complex process network starting
with the development,manufacturing and characterisation of novel semi-fin-
ished thermoplastic goods with tailored characteristics, for example com-
pounds, films, tapes and organosheets. The next step is to identify and refine Dr.-Ing. Michael Krahl
new preforming technologies compatible with semi-finished goods, which to +49 351 463 42499
date include the near-net-shape wrapping of thermoplastic tapes onto a guide ✉ michael.krahl@tu-dresden.de
piece and the braiding of complex hollow structures. The process chain ends
with the development of efficient manufacturing processes based on injec-
tion moulding, compression moulding, pultrusion, extrusion and generative
techniques. The unique machine park available at ILK’s Process Development
Centre (PEZ) enables the group’s scientists to set up and test fully automated
networked, robust process chains under realistic serial manufacturing con-
ditions. The activities engaged in by the Expert Group on Thermoplastic Pro-
cesses draw on longstanding experience and extensive know-how gained in
connection with the development of innovative tooling, automation and pro-
cessing techniques for the efficient manufacturing of hybrid thermoplastic
structures. The group’s process development activities are supported by the Tobias Lebelt
use of continuous process simulation. +49 351 463 39437
✉ tobias.lebelt@tu-dresden.de

Thermoset Processing and Preforming Contact Person

The development of efficient manufacturing processes which factor in in-
ter¬action between materials, processes and component properties has an
increasingly significant role to play in the field of heavy-duty fibre-reinforced
composite components based on thermosetting matrix systems. In addition
to preforming solutions for textile reinforcement components, demand for
robust processing techniques compatible with serial manufacturing technol-
ogies and rapid-hardening matrix systems is particularly high.

Research at ILK’s Expert Group on Thermosetting Processes and Preforming
focuses on the characterisation, modelling and simulation of reactive pro- Sirko Geller
cesses, the engineering of systems and processes for innovative preforming +49 351 463 42197
concepts and the development and refinement of novel materials, semi-finished ✉ sirko.geller@tu-dresden.de
products and corresponding processing technologies. The manufacturing of
active composite structures represents another area of research emphasis,
which focuses on the targeted exploitation of the moderate process condi-
tions that characterise the processing of thermosetting matrix systems (and in
particular polyurethanes). A comprehensive technological equipment enables
the group’s scientists to make use of both prototypical and serial processing
technologies. Areas of focus include braiding, prepreg processing, infusion
and injection techniques, and foaming / spraying processing and pultrusion.
Interdisciplinary cooperation with ILK’s other expert groups is the basis for
consistent research in the different subject areas.
Michael Müller-Pabel
+49 351 463 37998
✉ michael.mueller-pabel@tu-dresden.de

23