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• Robotic solution for the dismantling of aeronautical composites

  A. Marqués, J. Dieste, A. Marques, I. Monzón, A. LAGUÍAa, J. Vidal

  Materiales Compuestos (2026). Vol. 09 - Comunicaciones MatComp25 (2025), (Núm. 5 - Reciclaje y Sostenibilidad - Aplicaciones), 33

  
  

  Abstract

  The implementation of composite materials within the industry is a trend that has been developing for many years. In the case of the aeronautical industry, the gradual replacement of metallic parts by composite elements is increasing with each new aircraft model developed. However, these composites imply a challenge towards their end of life, since their dismantling and processing is under development, and they are currently processed as waste, with no recycling or reuse opportunities. In this context, a robotic dismantling solution is proposed by means of abrasive water jet cut, guided by a digital twin system. This system allows operator-guided cutting of the composite part, permitting the selection of the specific area to be dismantled on the aircraft itself. Thanks to a portable abrasive water jet system, operated by a collaborative robot, the cutting operations can be carried out in situ. This dismantling system is placed on a portable platform, operated by an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) system integrated in the dismantling system itself, capable of transporting it along the working area. In this way, new strategies for dismantling and reusing the composite material at its end of life are proposed. These new options include the extraction of complete parts selected by the operator for their reuse, the elimination and/or recovery of rivets and the adaptation of the parts to be dismantled for a subsequent recycling process.  

  Abstract
  The implementation of composite materials within the industry is a trend that has been developing for many years. In the case of the aeronautical industry, the gradual replacement [...]

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• rCF LM PAEK PRESS-MOULDING PROCESS OPTIMIZATION THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF A WAAM MOULD CORE

  A. Marqués*, J. Dieste, I. Monzón, C. Javierre, D. Elduque

  Materiales Compuestos (2024). Vol. 08 - COMUNICACIONES MATCOMP21 (2022) Y MATCOMP23 (2023), (Núm. 6 - Fabricación y Aplicaciones Industriales), 35

  
  

  Abstract

  Carbon fibre matrix composites are consolidated in high-demanding industries such as aeronautics and aerospace. Nowadays, thermoset composites are fully integrated on several new aircrafts in production. However, thermoplastic composites are progressively emerging as a better solution due to their end-of-life recyclability and optimized manufacturing process. One of the processes used to manufacture final parts from thermoplastic composite materials is press-moulding, in which a high-temperature heating system is combined with the application of pressure at high speeds. This article studies the optimization of press-moulding process in combination with an Additive Manufacturing (AM) produced metallic mould core. The aim of this study is the manufacturing of a thermoplastic aeronautical part, that would be submitted to real-world performance test. For the press-moulding process, a high-temperature infrared heating system was designed, supported by thermal oil mould heating, this heating system was combined with a mould-pressing process by integrating the system in a commercial injection machine. Regarding the AM tooling, produced by Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) process, was designed to reduce tooling weight, and optimise thermal cycle. Moreover, manufacturing data from WAAM tooling was recorded and compared with that obtained from a symmetrical conventional manufacturing made mould. The analysis shows savings in terms of material and energy consumption, as well as cycle times reduction. The final part metrology study shows indistinguishable results between the press-moulding process carried out using the WAAM tooling and that manufactured through conventional methods.

  Abstract
  Carbon fibre matrix composites are consolidated in high-demanding industries such as aeronautics and aerospace. Nowadays, thermoset composites are fully integrated on several [...]

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