The Automotive Composites Research Centre (ACRC) is a dedicated facility within our Materials Engineering Centre. Focusing on the development of carbon fibre reinforced composite manufacturing technologies for high volume automotive applications, the facility provides industrial partners with state-of the art, industrial scale composite processing equipment to carry out process development and demonstrations.
- Compression moulding
Using the multi-functional Engel v-Duo 1700 tonne press, we perform R&D and demonstration activities for all high-volume automotive candidate processes: prepreg compression moulding, SMC compression moulding, thermoplastic rapid stamp forming and multi-material compression moulding.
- Automation
Recognising the key to high volume automotive composite manufacture is automation, we're equipped with an automated cutting table, robotic pick and place for automated lay-up and loading on the Engel v-Duo and the preforming line.
- Complex preforming
With a dedicated 150 tonne preforming cell with a high level of automation and advanced material handling, the focus is on complex preforming of dry fabrics, dry NCF and pre-impregnated thermoset or thermoplastic composite materials.
- High pressure resin transfer moulding (HP-RTM)
Our Hennecke Streamline system is suitable for HP-RTM with seamless integration with the Engel v-Duo press.
- Materials characterisation
We offer both mechanical and analytical materials characterisation using state of the art facilities. This characterisation capability is critical in the optimisation of manufacturing processes and is also used to provide high-quality input data for predictive CAE activities and subsequent validation of models.
- Simulation
We are developing reliable process simulation capability for the key manufacturing processes: SMC compression moulding, complex preforming and resin transfer moulding.
- - Recent Publications - -
Learn about our award-winning project, Composite Lightweight Automotive Suspension System (CLASS), led by Ford Motor Company, in partnership with Gestamp Chassis and GRM.
We worked with Aston Martin Lagonda and Expert Tooling & Automation on the Integrated Compression Moulding Process (InterComp) project, watch the video to learn more.
We are currently involved with an APC composites project with WMG. We have found the team to be extremely capable and knowledgeable in the area that we are working with them. They are easy to contact, will always return calls/ emails, even when the news isn’t good. The reports we have received are concise and professionally written. We would certainly work with them again - Henry Sarel-Cooke, Business Development Manager, GKN Wheels and Structures
WMG were the manufacturing partners for the award winning CLASS (Composite Lightweight Automotive Suspension System) project. This was an aggressive 2 year project co-funded by Innovate UK that devised a carbon fibre hybrid rear suspension member. WMG’s world class materials and manufacturing expertise made the project viable and allowed the team to progress rapidly and develop the component that met the targets - Alan Banks, Suspension Manager at Ford Motor Company
Working with WMG since the installation of our equipment has been a tremendous experience. The R&D environment in which WMG use the machine has led to a better understanding on both sides, with respect to a number of critical elements of process control. This mutually beneficial result has been a consequence of an outstanding cooperation between the two technical teams - Graeme Herlihy, Regional President Europe West, Engel
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