JEC World 2019 preview: Cobra

Cobra International (Chonburi, Thailand) will present its expanded capacity and increased capabilities for large components at JEC World 2019, Booth E28 in Hall 6. At the show, Cobra will showcase its composite design and production capabilities across the automotive, transportation, marine, watersports and luxury sectors.

Representatives from the company’s design and development team will be on hand to discuss how they can support customers through the initial product design phase, as well as develop prototypes and set up for successful series production if required. Specialist industrial and product designers work alongside composite, electrical and mechanical engineers to ensure a full 360-degree view of the product in the design phase, including integration of multiple materials if needed. Case studies and component displays will be available on the stand for show visitors.

As part of Cobra’s recent expansions, a new large-scale autoclave, the fourth at the company’s 100,000m² Thailand plant, is currently being installed, and the company says this will add further capacity to its current automotive manufacturing and finishing facility. Capable of curing prepreg parts up to 5 × 2.5 m, the autoclave will be used initially for automotive parts, but can also be used for large components across all market sectors.

Recent projects on display at JEC World 2019 include:

 

• Neo Contour Carbon Chaise — a prototype of a modern take on a traditional chaise seat that was built in conjunction with Sutherland Furniture. Combining a full carbon structure with a waterproof textile net also made by Cobra.
• Electric Foiling Surfboard — reaching 40 kph, the Fliteboard is made of a carbon fiber/Innegra/EPS sandwich laminate, with Cobra involved in design and engineering, prototyping and now series production of the board, foils and accessories.
• Aircraft Tractor GSE — the first composite cab for an Aircraft Tractor, a ground support vehicle manufactured for a customer in Asia by Cobra Composite Structures to pull aircraft on the ground. The part fulfills the brief of low-maintenance parts with lower operating loads and standardized assembly processes. 
• Various supercar components, including carbon fiber exterior and interior parts such as spoilers, rear wings, diffusers and mirror housings for a number of premium German models, as well as examples of carbon fiber motorbike fairings and suspension arms.