Radically innovative technology for efficient manufacturing of preforms for ceramic matrix composite (CMC) brake disks

Informations projet

ROLL-IT

N° de convention de subvention: 826760

DOI

10.3030/826760

Projet clôturé

Date de signature de la CE 31 Juillet 2018

Date de début 1 Août 2018

Date de fin 30 Novembre 2018

Financé au titre de

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Coût total

€ 71 429,00

Contribution de l’UE

€ 50 000,00

Coordonné par

PETROCERAMICS SPA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ROLL-IT (Radically innovative technology for efficient manufacturing of preforms for ceramic matrix composite (CMC) brake disks)

Période du rapport: 2018-08-01 au 2018-11-30

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

Light weight vehicle design is a keystone to improving fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness in vehicles. Adoption of advanced lightweight ceramic composites as opposed to cast iron, can lead to a radical weight reduction in vehicle components like the braking system. CMC brakes are 60% lighter than cast iron discs and their adoption could save 25kg/car. In addition, CMC brakes reduce particle emissions by 90%, with no emissions of heavy metals.

Hot Press Moulding is the most used technique for CMC brakes manufacturing nowadays. However, it is also one of the primary limiting factors in its adoption. It has several manual steps performed by specialized operators, which raises the production costs. It has a low throughput, high fault rate, high energy consumption rate and uses a lot of raw materials, leading to high production costs. Additionally, the technique does not optimise the fibre orientations during production which yields poor mechanical and thermal properties.

Within this project, Petroceramics is aiming at taking ROLL-IT into the market. ROLL-IT is a fully automated process that combines advanced additive manufacturing techniques with traditional sheet moulding, enabling a continuous and automated forming process of near-to-shape preforms for CMC brake disks. The approach will be particularly suitable to optimize production resources reducing wastage, time, materials and energy and tune the mechanical properties of the final product. Specifically, ROLL-IT will enable absolute control of the reinforcing fibre topology and material properties that mainly affect the disc performances.

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

During this project, Petroceramics has carried out an extensive feasibility study of both technical and commercial aspects affecting ROLL-IT development.

On the technical side, the company has identified the requirements for the optimisation and scaling-up of the machine. Laser cutting options were tested in terms of speed and performance and its compatibility with other machine components was assessed.

On the commercial side, the company investigated the market and identified the main barriers that ROLL-IT may face during its commercialisation. The IPR landscape was analysed and risks the risks that may prevent ROLL-IT from a successful market uptake were described. Mitigation actions were also defined. Finally, Petroceramics consolidated the information from the market research and prepared a 5-years financial projection.

Although the laser cutting resulted not feasible, other mechanical methods for cutting were identified. Given the results from the study, Petroceramics concluded to continue with the project to make ROLL-IT market ready by 2021.

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

The few companies that produce CMC brake discs mostly use Hot Press Moulding, which is the only affordable preforming technique at an industrial level so far. ROLL-IT is an all-inclusive, cost effective, innovative migration from cast iron brake discs to CMC brake discs for the automotive industry and vehicles of the future.

Unlike Hot Press Moulding, ROLL-IT increases by 600% production performance and reduces energy costs by 45%. It allows to achieve a 60-70% reduction in defects owing to the replacement of manual operations with automated controlled processes and improves mechanical properties of the disks, thus reducing braking distance by 40%, enhancing driver’s safety. These benefits make possible a 50% reduction in the production costs for a sales price 43% cheaper.

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