German-Dutch research in composite structures

he lightweight construction of aircraft with carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) is a dynamically developing field of research. On 17 June 2013 at the Paris Air Show, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and the National Aerospace Laboratory of the Netherlands (NLR) signed a Cooperation Agreement in the field of Fibre Reinforced Composites. Together, both partners will develop production techniques for lightweight components for use in the aviation and transport sectors, which will contribute to a reduction of fuel consumption and the associated carbon dioxide emissions.

From research to prototype

"The expansion of our partnership with NLR in the strategically important research area of lightweight production technology is a great asset to DLR," says Rolf Henke, DLR Executive Board Member for Aeronautics research. "The focus of the cooperation will be in the areas of automated fibre placement/tape laying techniques, robot assisted manufacturing processes, autoclave technology, high-volume components, and virtual process planning and control." Both partners operate laboratories and large research facilities for the development and production of lightweight components. Within the cooperation agreement, the partners agree to the mutual opening and provision of research facilities for further development of CFRP technology. Close cooperation is also envisaged in the field of computer simulations of fibre reinforced polymer production processes.

DLR and NLR have a long-standing partner relationship. Both partners are working together in the German-Dutch Wind Tunnels (DNW). Together, DLR and NLR operate a total of 11 wind tunnels in Germany and the Netherlands, including the European Transonic Wind Tunnel (ETW) in Cologne. In addition, DLR and NLR have established AT-One, the ATM research alliance, which focuses on issues in air traffic management in the context of growing global air traffic.

CFRP research at DLR is conducted at the Institute of Composite Structures and Adaptive Systems. Research on the economic production of lightweight structures is concentrated at the DLR Center for Lightweight Production Technology (ZLP), a national organisation located at the sites of Stade and Augsburg. The research focus of the sites complement each other in their technologies and complete the process chain from materials to automated production. Basic research and applied research through to prototype production go hand in hand.