Multifunctional Lightweight Construction at JEC 2025
The following highlights await our visitors:
High EMC Shielding with Fibre-Composite Plastic Materials
The electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of electrical systems is less and less guaranteed with conventional shielding materials for a wide range of future technologies. The mechanical properties are not only determined by the choice of the textile reinforcement form. A suitable material can be created according to the given requirements by means of a targeted configuration of the reinforcing fibre content and type of reinforcing fibre (e.g. glass fibre or carbon fibre).
In standardised tests, the material, which was developed in collaboration with IMG Electronic Power Systems GmbH and is based on a hybrid fleece made of carbon and polymer fibres, achieved excellent EMC material measurement values of almost 100dB shielding attenuation. Combined with the material's good mechanical properties, the user benefits from a lighter and stronger housing than a metal one, for example. Additives can also be added to ensure long-term conductivity of the plastic.
The new FKV material therefore offers great potential in the fields of automotive (e-mobility), electronics, EMC, communications and aviation technology.
Chemnitz University of Technology, Institute for Lightweight Structures
Biobased structural components: innovation in aviation
A newly developed cabin door for an ultralight helicopter is presented, which is manufactured in a hybrid, biobased composite construction of flax and carbon fibres and has been successfully tested in flight. With a biomass content of 41%, the component achieves mechanical properties comparable to those of a carbon fibre-reinforced reference component. At the same time, the bio-based materials reduce CO2 emissions in the manufacturing process by 68% (cradle-to-gate, GWP100). This project impressively demonstrates how ecological sustainability and high technical requirements can be combined.
‘Green’ carbon fibres: Carbon LabFactory Saxony
The Carbon LabFactory Saxony, a new research facility, is currently being set up by the Chemnitz University of Technology in Boxberg, Upper Lusatia. The aim is to research and implement the entire value chain on a pilot scale, starting from the molecule to carbon fibre and textile semi-finished products to high-performance components.
The focus is on carbon fibre-based lightweight construction – a key technology for climate protection. To be able to use carbon fibres in a more diverse range of applications in the future and thus take advantage of their excellent specific mechanical properties, current research activities are concentrating on reducing manufacturing costs, reducing the CO2 footprint and optimising the properties of the fibres to meet specific requirements. The Carbon LabFactory Saxony is not only intended to serve as a research and development platform, but also to promote the founding of companies and, in cooperation with industry, to advance the climate-friendly transition in Europe towards a self-sustaining bioeconomy based on future-oriented lightweight construction technologies.
Schmietex Engineering GmbH
Schmietex Engineering has been supplying its customers in the field of textile composites with stitch-bonding machines and customized systems for 30 years.
Since the takeover of the traditional pointed-head compound needle and casting production in Chemnitz, Germany, we have been able to supply our customers with all the necessary spare and development parts for the well-known MALIMO machine segment.
Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI)
The STFI will be presenting highly oriented semi-finished products and organic sheets made from recycled carbon fibres for aviation. These semi-finished products currently represent the limit in the field of rCF. In addition, the members of the MC4 consortium, in which the STFI optimises recycling solutions for composite materials made from glass and carbon fibres with European partners, will be presenting their results at their own stand in Hall 6 D114-01. With the newly installed wetlaid nonwoven system, the Saxon institute also offers a nonwoven technology that will also be of interest for the reuse of short carbon fibres in the future.
We are looking forward to your visit!