Cost-effective high speed production of multi-material components by selective tape placement

Cost efficient production technologies for lightweight composite components are the key-enabler for a broad application. The use of laser-assisted tape placement in selected locations in existing composite structures provides the production of thermoplastic multi-material composite parts with the optimum reinforcement, weight and cost profile. Enhanced by the new manufacturing process route the weight of components can be significantly reduced as the combination of different reinforcement fibers in one single structure allows the achievement of an optimized relation between performance and weight. This is developed in the European funded FP7 Project Stellar.