Rational innovative methods for joining of composite to metal - a LIGHTer initiative

Important results from the project

The traditional methods for joining of Composite-Metal structures, adhesives and bolted joints, are time consuming and often require manual work with high accuracy since quality assurance is complicated. Therefore there is a need for new, more rational and reliable joining techniques. The project aims at developing new joining processes for Composite-Metal structures. Goals: To develop new ideas. To develop local hybridisation (integration) (in Step2) To develop a strong consortia and network All Step 1 goals have been achieved, except that the focusing for Step2 still on-going.

Expected long term effects

The project shall initially develop ideas for new joining processes and build the consortia to manage a full technical development in Step 2. The effects from first step of the project will be that ideas have been selected and further developed through workshops and small scale testing. The technologies shall be rational industrial processes with possibility to a high degree of automation. Step 1 has led to this, except that the consortia is not complete and different possibilities to focus for Step 2 are in discussion at the moment. A Step 2 application will be applied for in August 2015.

Approach and implementation

The Project and consortia will in Step-1 evaluate ideas identified within a smaller part of the newly finished UFoH-project (Vinnova Dnr 2011-02312). The possibilities to develop these ideas to new rational processes shall be studied with broad participation from a connected Reference Group, where partners from LIGHTer and other networks participate. Step 1 has three phases: Mapping / Concept / Consortia. This has been performed, except that workshop 2 was directed to a patent reporting and discussion via webb. There were more aspects here than anticipated. Step 2 now in discussion.