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.

VIDEO: Precision fabrication of honeycomb materials
CAMX

VIDEO: Precision fabrication of honeycomb materials

MachineTek showcases its precision fabrication of honeycomb materials at CAMX 2024.

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Airtech
Smart Tooling

Latest Machining/Drilling Articles

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Automation

RoMaNi 2 project enhances industrial robot flexibility for composites, metals machining

Newly developed milling kinematics on a linear axis enables versatile and efficient machining with up to 0.1-millimeter production tolerance.

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Developing milling for CMC because grinding takes too long

Economical processes that can cut machining time by 70% are being tested on aeroengine turbine blade demonstrators by Hufschmied and DLR in the SCANCUT project.

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Queen’s University Belfast presents research in thermoplastic drilling performance optimization

Researchers have published findings from a multi-objective optimization study on carbon fiber-reinforced PEKK drilling in an effort to better understand the material for use in aviation fastenings.

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Cutting/Kitting

Norco invests in CNC, kit cutting capability expansion

Transition from internal to external demand over the last few years has evolved Norco’s machining and composite kit cutting equipment, and now includes material outsourcing and digital engineering services.

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CAMX

VIDEO: Recycling and machining carbon fiber scraps

Elevated Materials has partnered with ‪Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. to collect and upcycle reclaimed carbon fiber scraps into large billet laminates, which can then be cut into various parts using CNC mills.

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Carbon Fibers

CFRP planing head: 50% less mass, 1.5 times faster rotation

Novel, modular design minimizes weight for high-precision cutting tools with faster production speeds.  

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Knowledge Centers

CW Tech Days: Bonding and Welding
CW Tech Days: Bonding and Welding

Join us for insights into advanced bonding techniques and welding processes for composite materials to ensure durability and structural integrity.

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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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CW Tech Days: Sustainability
CW Tech Days: Sustainability

This CW Tech Days event will explore the technologies, materials, and strategies that can help composites manufacturers become more sustainable.

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ColorForm multi-component injection
recycle carbon fiber
CompositesWorld
NewStar Adhesives - Nautical Adhesives
Airtech International Inc.

Latest Machining/Drilling News And Updates

Hufschmied Zerspanungssysteme, specialist in composites machining, establishes branch in the U.S.

Supplier of material- and process-optimized cutting tools and technology for CFRP, GFRP and CMC, as well as metals, opened its Chicago facility August 1, 2024.

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Zimmerman highlights five-axis portal milling line

The FZU22 machines various workpiece shapes, sizes and materials including carbon fiber and other fiber reinforcement options.  

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Core

Mel Composites adds Rohacryl processing to customized core offerings

Addition of machining services for the Evonik structural foam brand expands Mel’s range of foam core delivery.

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Core

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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Airtech
HEATCON Composite Systems
Alpha’s Premier ESR®
Eliminate Quality Escapes  With LASERVISION AI
recycle carbon fiber

Featured Posts

Medical

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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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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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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Automotive

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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Thermoplastics

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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CompositesWorld