Innovation Awards

Winner: Herone (Germany) and partners TU Dresden (Germany), Victrex Europa GmbH (Germany).

Injection forming of gears on CF-PAEK drive shafts

Injection forming of CF-PAEK composite profiles with CF-PEEK – a smart progression of the overmoulding technology to reach the next-level of connection strength for integral composite profiles.

Winner: Profactor GmbH (Austria) and partners Airbus Defence and Space GmbH (Germany), Danobat (Spain), Dassault Systemes SA (France), FIDAMC- Fundación para la Investigación, Desarrollo y Aplicación de Materiales Compuestos (Spain), IDEKO S. COOP (Spain), InFactory Solutions GmbH (Germany), M. Torres Diseños Industriales SA (Spain), Profactor GmbH (Austria)

Zero-defect manufacturing process

The development is a zero-defect manufacturing process for large composite parts. It uses inline monitoring and decision support systems to avoid defects showing up only during final NDT.

Winner: Polyscope Polymers (Netherlands)

Composite guide rails for a roller-blind sunroof

The first time that a thermoplastic composite successfully replaces aluminium for guide rails on roller-blind sunroof modules.

Winner: Evopro Systems Engineering Kft. (Hungary) and partners eCon Engineering Kft. (Hungary), HD Composite Zrt. (Hungary), Université de technologie et d’économie de Budapest, Faculté de génie mécanique (Hungary) et Académie hongroise des sciences, Centre de recherche en sciences naturelles (Hungary)

Fast manufacturing of complex TP composites

Automated, short-cycle-time production of thermoplastic polymer composites with a special focus on high functional integration, complexity and recyclability of the parts, based on T-RTM technology.

Winner: Arkema (France) and partners Arkema (France), National Cooperative Highway Research Program – NCHRP (USA), Sireg (Italy), Université de Miami (USA)

Bendable TP composite reinforcements for concrete

Readily bendable thermoplastic composite bar and cable for reinforced and prestressed concrete revolutionizing the durability of construction.

Winner: Technical University of Denmark (Denmark) and parters Centexbel (Belgium), Comfil (Denmark), Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (Germany)

Bio4self – Self-reinforced PLA composites

Bio-based, easy-to-recycle self-reinforced composite materials using high-stiffness PLA fibres for use in sports, automotive and medical applications.

Winner: KTM-Technologies GmbH (Austria) and partners KTM-Technologies GmbH (Austria), Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites GmbH (Germany)

FMC for the KTM carbon skid plate

The first structural composite skid plate produced using an FMC/NCF/elastomer hybrid. This direct production line with a one-shot process enables the best product-market fit in series production in terms of properties and costs.

Winner: Continuous Composites (USA) and partners Air Force Research Lab (USA), FCA / Comau (USA), Lockheed Martin (USA), Siemens (USA)

Continuous-fibre 3D printing

Continuous Fibre 3D Printing (CF3D™) combines composite materials with a 3D printing process, creating a mouldless out-of-autoclave  process. The result is a drastic reduction in cost and lead times.

Winner: Stratiforme Industries (France) and partners Armines Douai (France), CEF Centre d’essais ferroviaires (France), SNCF Réseau (France)

ACCUM: universal composite catenary cantilever

ACCUM is a universal composite catenary cantilever validated from 750V to 25kV and suitable for all standard and specific railtrack profiles, designed for easy supply, installation and maintenance.

Winner: AZL AACHEN GmbH (Germany) and partners AZL Institute of RWTH Aachen University (Germany), Conbility GmbH (Germany), Covestro Deutschland AG (Germany), Engel Austria GmbH (Austria), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Fagor Arrasate S. Coop. (Spain), Faurecia Composite Technologies (France), Fraunhofer IPT (Germany), Laserline GmbH (Germany), Mitsui Chemicals Europe GmbH (Germany), Mubea Carbo Tech GmbH (Austria), Philips Photonics (Germany), SSDT Shanghai Superior Die Technology Co. (China), Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (Belgium)

Ultra-fast consolidator machine system

Modular production system for the mass-production of individual tailored blanks based on a piece flow approach in combination with laser-assisted thermoplastic tape placement with in-situ consolidation.

Winner: Cecence (UK) and partners Acro Aircraft Seating LTD (UK), FTI (UK).

Fully FST compliant 16g composite aero seatback

Rapid hot compression moulded, fully composite 16g carbon seatback with FST compliance built in to its core, negating the need for fire proof dressing and with an out of mould paint ready surface.