Thermoplastics Composites Technology Workshop at RAF Museum, Cosford

Airbus is increasing the use of composites in its aircraft

A free workshop on Thermoplastic Composites Technology and Business is to be held at the RAF Museum, Cosford, on 21st April. Sponsored by Advantage West Midlands and the National Composites Network, the workshop will cover materials and processing developments, as well as the business opportunities offered by thermoplastic composites. The materials are now being used in a growing number of applications, including aircraft, sports equipment and even furniture.

The workshop is aimed at designers and engineers experienced with composites, and also technical and commercial executives that are considering procuring or using thermoplastic composites for the first time. The programme will include presentations from materials manufacturers, composite product manufacturers and researchers in the field. In addition, Neil Cogswell, the inventor of the original carbon fibre/PEEK composite, APC-2, will present a perspective on the industrial needs which led to the development of these types of material.

The event will also mark the formal launch of the ADCOMP project. This project, which is being supported by Advantage West Midlands and managed by the National Composites Network, will undertake two demonstrator manufacturing exercises to assess the technical and financial performance of thermoplastics in aerospace and engineering applications. The project participants are materials suppliers, Ten Cate Composites and Victrex, CADCAM developer Delcam, mould manufacturer MNB Mould Services, Airbus UK, JCB, the University of Birmingham and Warwick Manufacturing Group.