NSF Composite Sheet Forming Workshop.PDF

Background The breakthrough of advanced composite materials in various applications has occurred to a smaller extent than might have been expected previously, mainly due to the high integral costs of composite products: a high cost of manufacturing added to the already expensive raw material. There is a clear need for improved costeffectiveness. The key issues are considered to be: cheaper production processes, higher production rates and predictable component accuracy. Thermoplastic composites have a good potential, but the current knowledge of the material behaviour under full-scale production conditions is still inadequate. Academic research can produce the numerical tools to assist in building up the required know-how. Composite forming simulations will be a useful tool to predict e.g. process distortions and the occurrence of wrinkling, thus reducing cost of rework and lead time.