Fibre- reinforced composites provide high stability and limited weight which is essential in lightweight construction. Until recently, high cost in production prevented a wider application in the industry in comparison to other materials. Dr Christopher Lenz, alumni of the Institut für Texiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University, was nominated for this year’s Otto von Guericke Award, presented by the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF), for his research findings in Open Reed Weaving. Within the framework of the AiF project “Multiax-Structure: Single-stage production of local reinforced textile structures on the basis of multiax-fabrics”, he developed the necessary skills that allow an expanded application of Open Reed Weavings.
“For three years, there has been a new technique in weaving, the so-called Open Reed Weaving which allows the local reinforcement within reinforced textiles. When applying this new technology, the number of steps in further processes and the amount of waste de-creases,” explains Lenz. “So far, little has been known about the technology’s potential, how to apply it in industrial productions and the integration into well-established processes,” adds Prof. Dr Thom-as Gries, Director of the ITA. “The results that have been achieved in the context of the nominated IGF-project, finally allow an industrial application of this process.”
“Especially the developed software tools make the technology highly interesting for medium-sized companies.” Thorsten Overkamp, head of carbon fibre weaving C. Cramer, Weberei, GmbH & Co. KG in Nienborg, is delighted about the IGF results. “The technology has a tremendous potential. Particularly attractive for our medium-sized company are the software tools, developed during the project. They facilitate the access to this new technology.”
The process helps the small-scale and medium-sized industry to decrease production time and cost in order to stand up to international comparison.
About the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen Uni-versity
The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) belongs to the excellence university RWTH Aachen. Its core expertise consists of textile related production technologies and high performance materials. With the Centre for High Performance Materials ITA offers small and medium sized companies direct access to scientific research especially in the fields of high modulus fibres and composites. ITA provides research and development services and advanced training and creative work-shops in cooperation with its partner company ITA Technologietransfer GmbH. Furthermore, ITA graduates students in various textile related courses. Please find further information at www.ita.rwth-aachen.de.
Started in winter semester 2015/2016, ITA is offering the new inter-national Master degree ‘M.Sc. in Textile Engineering’ in cooperation with RWTH International Academy.
