Machining/Drilling of Composites

Machining and drilling processes in composites present unique challenges due to the heterogeneous nature of these materials. Composite structures, often composed of different layers and materials, require specialized techniques to maintain integrity and precision during machining or drilling. Traditional methods used for metals can cause delamination, fiber pullout, or damage to the composite structure. Therefore, specialized tools, such as diamond or carbide-tipped equipment, and specific cutting parameters are employed to ensure clean cuts without compromising the material's integrity.

Filament winding increases access to high-performance composite prostheses
Filament Winding

Filament winding increases access to high-performance composite prostheses

Steptics industrializes production of CFRP prostheses, enabling hundreds of parts/day and 50% lower cost.

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Airtech
Eliminate Quality Escapes  With LASERVISION AI

Latest Machining/Drilling Articles

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Net-shape machining services available for structural foam core

CAMX 2024: In addition to its distribution of various product materials for the composites industry, Technology Marketing Inc. now assists in machined net-shaped Rohacell structural foam core to customer requirements.

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Vericut version 9.5 maximizes efficiency, minimizes downtime

Latest CGTech software release adds improvements within the core product while improving user experience and practically automating NC program optimization.

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Ideko research validates robotic solution for clean, precise composites machining

Designed through the European Fibremach project, the equipment provides a greater increase in precision and machining efficiency and integrates a monitoring system that ensures part quality.

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Belotti, Cosberg partner for advanced automated assembly solutions

The Italy-based companies merge technological know-how to develop novel systems for the processing and assembly of light alloys and carbon fiber components.

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AI-powered robotic solutions support high-mix manufacturing

AI startup offers automation innovations for high-mix, high-variability, manual surface finishing applications.

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Optimizing machining for composites: Tool designs, processes and Industry 4.0 systems

Hufschmied moves beyond optimized milling and drilling tools to develop SonicShark inline quality control system and Cutting Edge World cloud platform for optimized tool use and processes.

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Knowledge Centers

Automated Composites
Automated Composites

In the Automated Composites knowledge center, CGTech brings you vital information about all things automated composites, from the manufacturing processes to the vendors and necessary tools.

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Sensors for Composite Processing
Sensors for Composite Processing

Discover the types of sensors being used in composites, the physics on which they�re based, their installation, promised benefits and challenges, as well as the potential they offer for even further developments in smart structures.

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Smart Tooling
Composites product design
CompositesWorld
CompositesWorld
Airtech International Inc.

Latest Machining/Drilling News And Updates

State-of-the-art composites cutting, machining solutions ensure accuracy, ease of operation

JEC World 2024: Compcut is presenting its advanced composites saw (ACS) and precision composite router (PCR), in addition to inviting attendees to bring their own materials for demonstration purposes.

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Core

ATL Composites collaboration advances kite-foil board production for Paris Olympics

Breiana Whitehead, pioneering Australian kite-foil sailor, spearheads board design intricacies with ATL Composites to enhance her performance ahead of the July 2024 competition.

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CAMX

Specialized cutting tool equipment accommodates automotive requirements

CAMX 2023: Hufschmied’s machining systems, particularly the company’s 194/195 T-Rex cutting tools and carbide cutting blades, are being presented for use on plastics, composites and other materials.

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Loop Technology robotic machining system works with harder materials

The RoboMach HA is a high-accuracy robotic machining system that can work with a range of materials, including cured composites. 

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C.R. Onsrud breaks ground for machine shop expansion

Multi-phase expansion includes 9,900-square-foot addition to facility and purchase of new equipment to better serve aerospace, marine, composites and other industries.  

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Composites 4.0

German UniFix project develops mobile holding fixture to enhance production efficiency of large CFRP structures

Fraunhofer IFAM and Airbus Operations in Stade demonstrate reduced manual handling and non-productive time in flow-oriented manufacturing of vertical tail plane.

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MITO® Material Solutions
NewStar Adhesives - Nautical Adhesives
Advert for lightweight carrier veils used in aero
CAMX 2024
CompositesWorld

Featured Posts

Aerospace

From the CW Archives: Drilling is not for the faint of heart

This edition of From the CW Archives revisits CW’s first plant tour — a visit to the F-35 FAL in Fort Worth, Texas — and a story by Ginger Gardiner a few years later. Both offer lessons on how to perform stacked drilling through composite and metallic materials. 

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Thermoplastics

Plant tour: Joby Aviation, Marina, Calif., U.S.

As the advanced air mobility market begins to take shape, market leader Joby Aviation works to industrialize composites manufacturing for its first-generation, composites-intensive, all-electric air taxi.

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Sensors

Laboratory for Intelligent Lightweight Production at CTC Stade advances digital solutions for industrial composites

Four-year, 12-million-euro LaiLa project with Helmut Schmidt University combines R&D with industry collaboration to solve real production pain points, validate solutions in digital lab/model factory at CTC and transfer knowledge to supply chain including customized training.

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RTM

Plant tour: Bucci Composites, Faenza, Italy

A stalwart in Italy’s “Motor Valley” opens its doors for a discussion and exploration of the company’s history in composites manufacturing for high-performance cars and other applications.

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Application

Virgin Orbit automates composites machining processes for LauncherOne rockets

Part of the company’s larger strategy for reducing cycle times and labor costs on its composite-intensive rockets, a customized machine center from Multiax America solves composite machining challenges.

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Best practices in the CNC machining of composites

Machining composite materials is a challenging task. Proper tool selection, machine settings and process innovations help make it manageable.

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Release agents and process chemical specialties
HEATCON Composite Systems
Airtech
Carbon Fiber 2024
Composites product designs