Voith Composites has laid the groundwork for large-scale production of carbon fiber-reinforced components (CFRP) for automotive customers in its Garching factory. This is a milestone in the industrial mass production of CFRP components.
The framework for large-scale production was put in place as a result of the development partnership that has existed between Voith Composites and Audi since 2011. The partners had agreed to develop carbon fiber–reinforced components and produce them in a highly automated manufacturing procedure. The objective was to use the components in large-scale production.
“We have set new standards with this new production line and shown that mass production of CFRP components can be efficiently implemented with modern machines and processes,” says Dr. Lars Herbeck, CEO of Voith Composites in Garching. “We have ambitious growth targets, and together with additional customers in the automotive industry we want to increase our CFRP production.”
The unique characteristics of the Industry 4.0 production facility include a Voith-patented direct fiber placement procedure, which – amongst other features – integrates several process steps into one and a digitally linked and automated production system. This significantly increases efficiency and manufacturing quality.
At its Garching site near Munich, Voith Composites develops individual solutions for components and industrial manufacturing processes along the entire value chain for small and large-scale production of CFRP products.
