Austria-based
Langzauner, a pioneer in advanced hydraulic press systems, has achieved a breakthrough in aerospace manufacturing technology through its collaboration with the
University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
The AMRC’s Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS) is a major boost to aerospace research and development in the UK, with a new innovation facility which will initially house industry leader Boeing’s research project to de-risk and develop high-rate sustainable structures.
At the heart of this innovation is Langzauner’s newly developed Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) press system — the largest-of-its-kind in the world for integral aerostructural parts. Using this ‘state of the art’ press system, the project aims to reduce large component process times by a factor of 10 – from approximately 40hr to just 4hr – while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
Darren Wells, senior technical fellow for large composite structures at the AMRC, said: “When we created the specification for such a ground-breaking piece of equipment, we knew we had set the bar very high in what was achievable. Langzauner’s solution not only meets all of our targets, but exceeds in many of them meaning this press will be at the forefront of high rate composite manufacturing research for years to come.”
The press system features an impressive 10,500mm x 3,500mm platen size and delivers unprecedented precision with fully adjustable pressing force up to 2,400 tons.
The system's revolutionary features include: xtraordinary press force regulation accuracy of 0.1%; advanced sliding table system accommodating 180-ton mould mass; sophisticated plate parallelism control within hundredths of a mm; individual cylinder control with active parallelism management
Innovative gap injection functionality with two-axis rotation capability; and the system is fully integrated with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) capabilities, enabling comprehensive data collection for artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in factory-scale process optimisation.
Alexander Wiesner, head of global sales and marketing at Langzauner, said: “This technology represents a quantum leap in aerospace manufacturing capabilities. We are not just building equipment, we are revolutionising how the next generation of aircraft will be produced.”
Langzauner’s commitment to vertical integration is further demonstrated by the ongoing assembly of a large-scale hot drape former for RTM preform preparation, ensuring a complete solution for next-generation aerospace manufacturing needs. This development positions the company at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing technology, supporting the industry's push toward more efficient, sustainable, and scalable production methods for future aircraft generations. The RTM press system will arrive at the AMRC's new innovation facility in South Yorkshire next month.