Laser In Situ Joining as a Novel Approach for Joining Large‐Scale Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer Aircraft Structures

Laser In Situ Joining. The Multifunctional Fuselage Demonstrator of the EU’s Clean Sky 2 campaign is the world’s largest thermoplastic aircraft structure. In article number 2300913, Eric Pohl and co-workers show that the CONTIjoin processes enables the longitudinal joint of both half-shells via in-situ laminate layup, without additional fasteners or adhesives. The monomaterial joint is lightweight, fast to manufacture, and offers over 90 % of the strength of a static heat press joint.