Carbon composites in mechanical engineering
Lightweight reinforcements for machine builders and OEMs: load path-oriented carbon preforms, manufactured close to the final shape and integrable with reliable processes.
Reinforce your composite materials with a customized solution.
✓ With the perfect combination of lightness, strength and precision
✓ economically
✓ for complex geometries.
For developers, designers and series manufacturers who want to specifically reinforce composite materials.
Targeted reinforcement of your fiber composites from TFP Technology
Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP): Technology
TFP Technology specializes in an innovative method of near-net-shape fiber placement using CNC embroidery machines.
This technology involves precisely placing and stitching various fiber types, such as carbon, aramid, glass, or natural fibers, onto substrate materials. This technology enables the production of composite materials and semi-finished products. in large quantities and with exact reproducibility - from the Prototyp up to Individual and series production.
Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) optimizes the Fiber orientation according to the force profiles and enables one Customized reinforcement of composite materialsTargeted fiber placement leads to a Optimization of mechanical properties and enables one more efficient use of materialsTFP is particularly advantageous for applications that require a A combination of lightness, strength, and precision required, as in aerospace or automotive engineering.
Targeted reinforcement through tailored fiber placement
Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) enables targeted fiber reinforcement, in which fibers are placed precisely along the stress paths and reinforce the component only where it is structurally necessary.
Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) is a technology for manufacturing textile semi-finished products from fiber strands. This process is also alternatively called roving laying.
Our CNC embroidery machines lay fiber strands (also called rovings) made of carbon, fiberglass, aramid and other fibers onto flexible substrate materials.
We individually align the fiber orientation to the force distribution in your product.
Between stitches, the embroidery machines move the carrier material and embroider the fibers in the optimal fiber orientation.
We can easily integrate functional threads for sensors, wires or heating strands or heating conductors in any shape into your fiber preforms during fiber laying.
In our technical article, we demonstrate how Tailored Fiber Placement is used, particularly in mechanical engineering for carbon preforms, using specific applications and design principles. Targeted carbon reinforcements in mechanical engineering with Tailored Fiber Placement
HV-TFP: High Volume TFP
High Volume TFP (HV-TFP) represents a further development of fiber placement by placing two fiber strands simultaneously. The propagation rate doubles with a consistent number of stitches and shorter processing times are possible. Furthermore, the HV-TFP method allows for... Laying two different fiber types simultaneously, for example, carbon together with fiberglass.
HV-TFP combines the advantages of precise fiber placement with faster and more efficient manufacturing.
Tailored Fiber Placement offers you
Optimal fiber orientation
Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) enables targeted fiber reinforcement, where fibers are precisely placed along stress paths, reinforcing the component only where structurally necessary. In the TFP process, the fibers are aligned exactly along the component's main stress paths. This is particularly important because the strength and stiffness of composite materials depend heavily on fiber orientation. Precise fiber alignment significantly improves the component's mechanical properties.
Adaptability & Flexibility
TFP makes it possible to combine different fiber types (such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or aramid) in a single component. Furthermore, the fiber density can be varied in different areas of the component to create localized reinforcements where they are most needed.
weight loss
Because the fibers are only placed where needed, the overall weight of the component can be reduced compared to traditional manufacturing methods. This is particularly advantageous in industries where weight savings are crucial, such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing.
Complex Geometries
TFP enables the creation of complex geometric shapes that would be difficult to manufacture using conventional methods. This opens up new possibilities in terms of design freedom and the functionality of components.
Quality and Reliability
Precise control over fiber placement leads to more consistent quality and higher reliability of the components. This is particularly important in applications where safety and durability are crucial.
Reproducibility
The preforms can be reproduced as often as desired with consistent quality and performance. This crucial advantage is guaranteed by TFP technology using CNC embroidery machines.
No matter what challenge you are currently facing with your product or component, let's work together to find a way to achieve optimal reinforcement.
Our cutting technologies for your fiber preforms
To ensure optimal and efficient cutting of the manufactured elements state-of-the-art laser cutting systems and CNC cuttersOur state-of-the-art and precise cutting units are powered by advanced camera systems supported and bring specific advantages to your products.
The Laser cutting It welds the edges and prevents the technical textiles from fraying or splitting.
The CNC cutter It is better suited for more heat-sensitive materials. It cuts the semi-finished products mechanically and does not expose the material to any heat stress.
With our wide range of cutting technologies, we can react flexibly to a wide variety of materialsWhether it's conventional fiber textiles, films, composite materials with self-adhesive film laminated by us, or special high-performance textiles. – Our facilities are equipped for any challenge.
Tailored Fiber Placement from the manufacturer
- You want your component or product made of plastic stable, lightweighter and efficient do?
- You are looking for a manufacturer who will work with you to develop a individually developed fiber reinforcement, which places your component exactly there flexibly reinforced, where you need structural capacity the most?
- They want a manufacturer who from idea to prototype to series production Does it offer everything from a single source?
Get in touch with us! We look forward to your idea or challenge!
This is how your semi-finished products are manufactured at TFP Technology
- Joint development of a layout for fiber preforms, heating elements or textile sensors using Tailored Fiber Placement
- Selection of suitable fibers, fiber combinations and carrier material
- Creation of CAD data on the PC
- Production of a sample
- Testing the pattern in your further processing
- Optimization or release for production
- Series production of your semi-finished products in small or large series at the Falkenstein/Vogtland site
No matter what challenge you are currently facing with your product or component, let's work together to find a way to integrate innovative features.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP)
Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) is a complex manufacturing process that requires explanation, as technical, economic, and procedural aspects are closely intertwined. The following answers provide a concise overview of the application possibilities, series production capability, and integration of Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) into industrial applications and will support you in evaluating its suitability for your component or product.
What is Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP)?
Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) is an automated manufacturing process in which fiber strands such as carbon, glass, or aramid are CNC-stitched onto a substrate. The fiber orientation is precisely adapted to the actual stress paths of the component. This creates textile fiber preforms for targeted fiber reinforcement, where material is only used where it is needed to absorb forces. TFP Technology uses Tailored Fiber Placement specifically for industrial applications in series production.
For which applications is Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) particularly suitable?
Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) is suitable wherever components need to be selectively reinforced, weight reduced, or functions integrated. Typical applications can be found in mechanical and plant engineering, the automotive industry, aerospace, and construction. Tailored Fiber Placement is particularly advantageous wherever local fiber reinforcement is required to increase stiffness and load-bearing capacity while reducing weight. TFP Technology develops fiber preforms individually tailored to each specific product.
Is Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) suitable for mass production?
Yes, Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) is fully automatable and therefore suitable for series production. CNC-controlled fiber placement ensures consistent quality across large production runs. Depending on the component, both small and large production runs can be implemented economically. TFP Technology produces fiber preforms from functional prototypes to industrial-scale production.
At what production volumes does Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) become economically viable?
The cost-effectiveness of Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) depends on component geometry, material usage, and functional integration. Even for small production runs, TFP can be cost-effective if material savings, weight reduction, or functional integration offer added design value. In series production, Tailored Fiber Placement demonstrates its advantages particularly through short setup times and high reproducibility. TFP Technology supports the evaluation of cost-effectiveness for each specific application.
Which fibers can be processed using Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP)?
Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) allows for the processing and combination of various fiber types, including carbon, glass, and aramid fibers, as well as hybrid structures. Different fiber densities within a single component are also possible. This enables locally targeted reinforcement. TFP Technology selects fibers and substrate materials to suit the subsequent processing and load-bearing requirements.
Can TFP preforms be integrated into existing production processes?
TFP preforms made from Tailored Fiber Placement are manufactured to near-net-shape specifications and can be directly integrated into common composite processes, such as RTM, vacuum infusion, thermoplastic consolidation, or hybrid processes with metal and plastic. Cutting or post-processing is generally not required. This facilitates integration into existing production lines. TFP Technology develops the preforms specifically with the subsequent process in mind.
How does Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) differ from tissue or UD tapes?
Unlike conventional woven fabrics or unidirectional tapes, the fiber orientation in Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) is freely definable. The fibers precisely follow the calculated force distributions within the component. This results in more efficient material use and avoids over-dimensioning. Tailored Fiber Placement enables load-path-oriented fiber reinforcement, which is only partially achievable with flat woven fabrics or unidirectional tapes. TFP Technology specifically applies this principle to demanding industrial applications.
Can functions such as heating or sensors be integrated using Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP)?
Yes, with Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP), functional fibers such as heating elements, wires, or sensor elements can be integrated directly into the fiber preforms. This creates functional composite structures without additional assembly steps. Fiber reinforcement and additional functions can thus be combined in a single manufacturing step, which is particularly relevant for smart composites and function-integrated components. TFP technology combines fiber reinforcement, heating elements, and sensors in a single manufacturing process.
- You want your component or product made of plastic stable, lightweighter and powerful do?
- You are looking for a manufacturer who will work with you to develop a individually developed fiber reinforcement, which places your component exactly there flexibly reinforced, where you need structural capacity the most?
That's our area of expertise – from the initial idea to mass production.
- You need one Heating functionto them seamless and material homogeneous into your fiber composite component or plastic product integrate?
- Your heating element must particularly flexible and resistant be?
- Are you looking for a manufacturer who can implement the layout, size and heating output precisely to your requirements?
We are experts in this – from the initial idea to series production.
- You want to modify your fiber composite component necessary or additional functions expand?
- Are you looking for a manufacturer who seamlessly integrates functional fibers for damage sensing, measurement data acquisition, data transmission and much more into your component as a sensor mat or fiber preform?
That's what we specialize in – from the initial idea to mass production.
Do you want to learn more about Tailored Fiber Placement?
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