JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #66 - July/August 2011 - 10

aeronautics

Compositadour, a technical platform devoted to the aerospace sector
Compositadour is a centre of excellence for composite part production processes and, in particular, for automated processes. Its prime focus is the aerospace sector, followed by other industrial sectors. Based in the Technocité business park in Bayonne, southwest France, it was officially inaugurated on 23 December 2010.
cluster and constitutes a component of the regional plan for "composites and advanced materials". The management and running of CompositAdour have been entrusted to ESTIA, which will develop engineer training and R&D activities on the platform. composite parts by means of robotised technology, which to date has not been subject to industrialisation, so as to: 1) develop a cost-effective solution and significantly improve productivity compared to manual processes; 2) validate the specifications of fibre placement systems mounted on robotic systems for parts production; 3) develop the lay-up capabilities for parts with complex geometries (ramps, curves, corners, etc.) and of small dimensions; 4) optimise and develop the materials used in robotised production technologies. An initial collaborative R&D programme, designated IMPALA, has been certified by the Aerospace Valley and Emc2 competitiveness clusters. It was launched in the first quarter of 2011. The IMPALA programme is designed to develop innovative functionalities for the processing of thermoplastic and dry-fibre composite materials by means of robots using industrial-type lasers. Training of operators, technicians and engineers through initial and continuing training on hand lay-up, RTM, infusion moulding and adjustment aspects, and on the automation and robotisation of processes.

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ompositadour is an R&D and training platform that specialises in robotised processes for the processing of composite materials. It uses innovative technological equipment to help businesses develop by appropriating the technologies associated with composites and automated processes.

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Concrete missions
The priority objectives of CompositAdour are to: 1) master new materials processing, testing and structural assembly technologies, and develop high-performance composite materials; 2) develop and pool new skills for which the local training schemes should develop top-grade expertise; 3) transfer industrial know-how to the SMEs located in the territory; and 4) propose pooled services. In concrete terms, the centre will develop its activities along 4 lines: Research & Development will be carried out in partnership with manufacturers, focusing on the design and qualification of complex composite parts, and the industrialisation of their manufacturing, in particular with regard to robotised fibre placement technology. The initial challenge is that of integration in order to produce

Highly committed partners

The creation of CompositAdour results from the strong commitment of its public and private founders. On the public side, all the public institutions – municipal, departmental, regional – are represented and have participated in financing the investment, to the tune of over €3 million, and in running the platform: over €450,000 for 2011. Educational organisations – ESTIA, AFPI and the Jean Taris aerospacespecialist secondary school – are also engaged in the project. On the industrial side, Dassault Aviation, Daher Socata, EADS Composites Aquitaine and Coriolis Composites are jointly running the new structure. CompositAdour is part of the Aerospace Valley competitiveness

jec composites magazine / No66 July –August 2011
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #66 - July/August 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #66 - July/August 2011
