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SHOW COVERAGE 3 4 | H I G H - P E R F O R M A N C E C O M P O S I T E S es a cone-shaped plug or centerbody and a complex, corrugated mixer. Fastened to the engine's aft fange, the mixer's "lobed" shape ensures optimal mixing of the hot gases from the engine with the cold bypass air. An ARCOCE measuring 1,625 mm/5 ft in length and 655 mm/2 ft in diameter, and weighing 24.5 kg/54 lb is currently undergoing an 5,000-hour test- ing campaign on a CFM56 engine. Nearby, FACC AG (Ried im Innkreis, Austria) touted its reception of the 2014 JEC European Innovation Award (Aeronautics) for a lightweight, carbon composite annulus fller for jet engines, developed with partners Rolls-Royce (London, U.K.) and the University of Ap- plied Sciences (Rapperswil, Switzerland). This complex-shaped part sits between the engine fan blades, guides airfow for optimum aerodynamics during opera- tion, and weighs 40 percent less than the machined forged metal it replaces. At 18 to 22 fllers per engine, their use reduces the load on the fan disk to which they are anchored, increasing cost and energy savings. The prototype is currently un- dergoing extensive ground testing before trials on a fying engine later this year. Betting on infusion of aerocomposites At a Cytec Industries (Woodland Park, N.J.) press conference, Ammar Alsalih, program manager, aerospace materials, noted that backlogs at aerospace primes are motivating calls for materials that can process faster and reduce part cost. In response, Cytec introduced its PRISM TX1100 Dry Tape system for automated fber placement (AFP), it was developed specifcally for Moscow, Russia-based Aerocomposit's MS-21 single-aisle jet, on which resin infusion will be used for the aircraft's wing and wingbox struc- tures. (Cytec says it's also under evalu- ation by other OEMs.) A unidirectional split tape, it requires no off-axis fbers to hold it together. According to Alsalih, it's the only split tape now available for AFP. Heated as it is applied, its binder secures the tape. Compaction steps are eliminat- Aerolia to meet mechanical performance requirements for primary structure. Co- riolis developed the dry AFP process and the dry preforms were made by Compos- itadour's (Bayonne, France). Scoring a frst, The Aquitaine region of France stand displayed a model (photo below) of the ARCOCE (ARrière-corps COmposite CEramique, or afterbody ceramic composite) jet engine exhaust cone made using ceramic-matrix com- posites (CMCs). Designed and built by Herakles (Le Haillan, France), it compris- CMC jet engine exhaust cone Herakles (Le Haillan, France) showed off this prototype ceramic-matrix composite engine exhaust cone for the next-generation LEAP jet engines. The cone is 30 to 50 percent lighter than metal versions. NESTING I CUTTING I PLY LAYUP I PLY INSPECTION I FINAL ASSEMBLY Bring us your challenge. We can help. + If the world's 10 largest aerospace companies rely on our sophisticated automation systems to accelerate composite processing, maximize material utilization and ensure quality, shouldn't you? We offer a complete suite of solutions to accelerate composite processing including laser-guided ply layup, paint masking and fnal assembly systems, automated nesting software, computer-controlled cutting and laser ply inspection systems. Contact us today to discuss your challenge. gerbertechnology.com Source: HPC/Photo: Ginger Gardiner 0514HPC JEC EuropeReview-OK.indd 34 4/22/2014 3:05:39 PM