Coimbra working on cars and lighter aircraft – Observer

The Communion project (Net-shape joining technology to manufacture 3D multi-materials components based on metal alloys and thermoplastic composites) is developing a technology in making “in the near future”, cars and planes “lighter” and “more efficient energy point of view,” says the UC, in a note today sent Lusa.

Besides aiming to reduce weight, the project, which is funded by the European Union (EU) with “about five million” also want the means of transport with these characteristics have “a competitive cost.”

Coordinated by Asociación de Investigación Metalúrgica del Noroeste, Spain, the project brings together 16 partners universities, including UC, through the Faculty of Science and Technology (FCTUC), technological centers, including the Fraunhofer Institute, Germany, and several companies.

researchers are developing various technologies in set including a robot, which enable the manufacture of components formed by multi-material for use in body aircraft and car body.

the multi-material designated are “obtained by the addition of metal and thermoplastic fiber-reinforced” through “highly complex processes,” which will become “the automotive sector and aeronautical much more competitive,” said UC.

currently, explains the coordinator of FCTUC team on the project, Pedro Neto, “the structural part of the vehicle is essentially made of metal, “but” in the case of aircraft, many are now made of composite materials (which are lighter). “

However, these composite aircraft” are usually resinous matrix “(can not be recycled) and” are produced as unique pieces, or are linked to other components to the post, “noted Pedro Neto, cited by UC.

” in the communion studies -if the use of bonding thermoplastic composites with metals, so that it can strengthen the structural components in the most critical areas, reducing the consumption of expensive metals, “adds the researcher.

” the domain manufacture of the multi-material will bring significant competitive advantage for European industry in general and English in particular, since a significant part of the Portuguese export economy based on the production of components for the automotive industry, “further emphasizes the teaching of mechanical engineering at FCTUC.

in Portugal, the technology solution developed within the Communion will be tested in a company MOTOFIL group (based in Ilhavo), within three years.

the automotive industry accounts for about 3 % of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the EU and about 7% of total industrial production of the Union refers to UC.

Since the aviation industry is one of the main sectors of high technology in the EU, employing in in 2013 more than half a million people and generating a turnover of around EUR 198 000 million.