Remote processing of tailored fiber reinforced lightweight structures

Fiber reinforced polymers are applied more and more in the aircraft as well as in the automobile industry. The possibility for spherical variation of structure properties by the adaption of fiber layers and fiber orientation within the material, enables a wide range of applications. New developments for processing of near-net-shape parts, which are not even, require new strategies for final contour cutting. Water jet processes as well as milling or drilling processes show limitations. Within the paper the remote laser technology will be introduced as forcefree thermal cutting process with minimized heat affected areas. In addition to some basic research, new application results will be shown to visualize the great potential of this technology. TFP (Tailored Fiber Placement) structures are characterizedby highest weight-based strengths. This process, however, requires special after-treatment steps. The use of scanner based processing systems enables a flexible laser ablation of the fixation layer and the waste margin without additional mechanical treatment.