SHAPE has in-house preform manufacturing capability.
SHAPE has developed a process for manufacturing optimised carbon fibre preforms. This technology and the bespoke preforms are supplied under the ShapeTex brand.
The ability to align the fibres of a ShapeTex preform in any combination of direction and thickness offers a significant performance advantage over traditional woven and non-crimped fabrics with their rigid combination of 0⁰ to 90⁰ (or variations of) layers. ShapeTex technology allows for unparalleled part optimisation with complex local reinforcements easily included to fully optimise part performance.
A ShapeTex preform can consist of carbon, glass or aramid fibres. The preform can be manufactured from commingled thermoplastic matric materials or manufactured in dry carbon yarn for use in Resin Infusion or RTM manufacturing processes.
The benefit of combining Synergex and ShapeTex into a single, highly optimised, commingled carbon preform offers significant advantages over current composite manufacturing methods. These advantages include; more optimised fibre placement, quicker processing time, higher production volume capability, easier material handling, reduced material costs, reduced processing costs and greater efficiency resulting in a high quality, perfectly repeatable parts.
Learn more about ShapeTex: www.shapetex.co.uk
SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH COMPOSITES
Innovation is what drives SHAPE and the ability to push engineering boundaries with R&D to develop novel technologies and processes for the benefit of our customers and the industry.
Collaboration and developing strong partnerships ensures the benefits of our innovation are passed on quickly and directly to our customers and suppliers for the benefit of every party.
Automation is key to manufacturing efficiency and all the manufacturing processes developed at SHAPE are fully automatable to ensure the highest levels of quality, repeatability, speed and efficiency.
