Machining/Drilling of Composites

Machining and drilling processes in composites present unique challenges due to the heterogeneous nature of these materials. Composite structures, often composed of different layers and materials, require specialized techniques to maintain integrity and precision during machining or drilling. Traditional methods used for metals can cause delamination, fiber pullout, or damage to the composite structure. Therefore, specialized tools, such as diamond or carbide-tipped equipment, and specific cutting parameters are employed to ensure clean cuts without compromising the material's integrity.

Addressing rivet hole drilling challenges for aerospace composites
Carbon Fibers

Addressing rivet hole drilling challenges for aerospace composites

Kennametal explores technological advancements in composite drilling, including stacked laminates, to meet aerospace applications and sustainability challenges.

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Latest Machining/Drilling Articles

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NDT

Ruckus Composites, Aerospace grows in-house composites machining, measurement and inspection

Recent in-house technology investments set Ruckus up to meet advanced composite inspection and precision machining demand.

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Apache Aerospace highlights MX-5 self-feed countersink tool

Third-generation design approved by U.S. aerospace manufacturers targets simplified operations for metal and composite materials cutting.

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Aerospace

Seven tips for machining composite aerospace components

Machining composite materials is a dusty, arduous and abrasive process that is hard on cutting tools, requiring the right combination of strategies and know-how to properly navigate their dynamics.

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CAMX

VIDEO: Robots enable nine-axis machining of composites

Machine Tool Camp displayed its hybrid machining center at CAMX, featuring nine-axis machining capability enabled by robotics. 

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VIDEO: Precision fabrication of honeycomb materials

MachineTek showcases its precision fabrication of honeycomb materials at CAMX 2024.

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Automation

RoMaNi 2 project enhances industrial robot flexibility for composites, metals machining

Newly developed milling kinematics on a linear axis enables versatile and efficient machining with up to 0.1-millimeter production tolerance.

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Knowledge Centers

Design, Simulation and Testing Technologies for Next-Gen Composite Structures
Design, Simulation and Testing Technologies for Next-Gen Composite Structures

Review the state of the art in design, simulation, failure analysis, digital twins, virtual testing and virtual inspection.

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The CAMX Forecast
The CAMX Forecast

Headed to CAMX? Preview the technology before the show!

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Latest Machining/Drilling News And Updates

Queen’s University Belfast presents research in thermoplastic drilling performance optimization

Researchers have published findings from a multi-objective optimization study on carbon fiber-reinforced PEKK drilling in an effort to better understand the material for use in aviation fastenings.

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Cutting/Kitting

Norco invests in CNC, kit cutting capability expansion

Transition from internal to external demand over the last few years has evolved Norco’s machining and composite kit cutting equipment, and now includes material outsourcing and digital engineering services.

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Hufschmied Zerspanungssysteme, specialist in composites machining, establishes branch in the U.S.

Supplier of material- and process-optimized cutting tools and technology for CFRP, GFRP and CMC, as well as metals, opened its Chicago facility August 1, 2024.

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Zimmerman highlights five-axis portal milling line

The FZU22 machines various workpiece shapes, sizes and materials including carbon fiber and other fiber reinforcement options.  

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Mel Composites adds Rohacryl processing to customized core offerings

Addition of machining services for the Evonik structural foam brand expands Mel’s range of foam core delivery.

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CAMX

Net-shape machining services available for structural foam core

CAMX 2024: In addition to its distribution of various product materials for the composites industry, Technology Marketing Inc. now assists in machined net-shaped Rohacell structural foam core to customer requirements.

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Featured Posts

Developing milling for CMC because grinding takes too long

Economical processes that can cut machining time by 70% are being tested on aeroengine turbine blade demonstrators by Hufschmied and DLR in the SCANCUT project.

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VIDEO: Recycling and machining carbon fiber scraps

Elevated Materials has partnered with ‪Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. to collect and upcycle reclaimed carbon fiber scraps into large billet laminates, which can then be cut into various parts using CNC mills.

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Carbon Fibers

CFRP planing head: 50% less mass, 1.5 times faster rotation

Novel, modular design minimizes weight for high-precision cutting tools with faster production speeds.  

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Carbon Fibers

Filament winding increases access to high-performance composite prostheses

Steptics industrializes production of CFRP prostheses, enabling hundreds of parts/day and 50% lower cost.

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AI-powered robotic solutions support high-mix manufacturing

AI startup offers automation innovations for high-mix, high-variability, manual surface finishing applications.

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Optimizing machining for composites: Tool designs, processes and Industry 4.0 systems

Hufschmied moves beyond optimized milling and drilling tools to develop SonicShark inline quality control system and Cutting Edge World cloud platform for optimized tool use and processes.

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