The BIOSTRUCT project aims at the development of advanced technologies for the manufacturing of composite parts made from bio-materials. This will enhance the use of such materials in parts with structural requirements and thus reduce the need for conventional carbon and glass fibre composites.
Key technical topics:
• Natural products such as bio-based fibres have a higher variability in term of dimensions, weight and appearance. Nevertheless, high precision is required when handling fabric made of natural fibres, e.g. during the lay-up and draping of a composite part.
• The mechanical properties of natural fibres and resins need to be better understood to enable the accurate design of structural parts and thus make such material usable also for structural applications.
• The integration of bio-based load sensors will provide additional information and safety so as to reduce the uncertainties that are associated with bio-based composites.
Objective - O1
To develop automated high-precision handling systems that enable the accurate placement of fabric made from natural fibres in a mold. This includes the pick and place operation as well as control methods to ensure a match between the part “as designed” and “as manufactured” and the integration of cure monitoring systems.
Objective – O2
To develop material models that are able to capture the mechanical properties of natural fibre, bio-based resins, bio-adhesives and their combination in a composite.
Objective – O3
To implement a manufacturing process for an integrated load sensor based on micro-structured bio-materials.
