Diehl Aviation, 9T Labs present Eco Bracket
Ultra-lightweight and made of recycled composites, the Eco Bracket cuts weight and cost in half and reduces CO2 emissions, in addition to providing high performance.
Source | Diehl Aviation
(Überlingen, Germany) and 9T Labs (Zurich, Switzerland) have released the Eco Bracket, a lightweight component made from a combination of 3D printed carbon fiber elements and recycled thermoplastic composites derived from manufacturing waste.
In the aviation industry, aluminum brackets are used to mount cabin components and systems to the aircraft structure. Traditionally, expensive metal components are used in high-use areas, such as the overhead bins above the seats.
The , however, in addition to being composite, is reported to provide optimal load distribution and combines high mechanical performance with cost efficiency. At the same time, the Eco Bracket focuses on environmental sustainability and reduces the CO2 footprint of the component.
The bracket’s benefits include:
- 50% weight reduction: The use of lightweight materials and design optimization has halved the weight compared to conventional aluminum brackets.
- 50% cost savings: Manufacturing costs can also be halved with the same mechanical performance compared to the aluminum solution.
- Environmentally friendly: By reusing production waste and recycling used components at the end of their life, the Eco Bracket makes a contribution to reducing production waste and promoting sustainable production methods.
9T Labs and Diehl Aviation are present the Eco Bracket for the first time at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.
Related Content
-
First Airbus A350 crash confirmed in Haneda
Shortly after touch-down, a JAL A350-900 aircraft recently collided with a De Havilland Canada Dash 8. Exact circumstances are still unknown.
-
Plant tour: Airbus, Illescas, Spain
Airbus’ Illescas facility, featuring highly automated composites processes for the A350 lower wing cover and one-piece Section 19 fuselage barrels, works toward production ramp-ups and next-generation aircraft.
-
Next-generation airship design enabled by modern composites
LTA Research’s proof-of-concept Pathfinder 1 modernizes a fully rigid airship design with a largely carbon fiber composite frame. R&D has already begun on higher volume, more automated manufacturing for the future.