GKN Aerospace participates in Dutch consortium to develop sustainable manufacturing of thermoplastic components

Luxovius project aims to remove the autoclave from production process resulting in significant reduction of CO2 emission, time and cost.

Consortium is a regional collaboration of Boikon, GKN Aerospace, Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre, NHL Stenden University of Applied Science and Investment and Development Agency for the Northern Netherlands (NOM).

An innovative partnership in the north of the Netherlands has teamed up to develop, demonstrate and market an innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective manufacturing process for thermoplastic aerospace components. Funding body SNN and the regional governments of Groningen and Drenthe are jointly funding the Luxovius project. Thermoplastic components reduce weight, cost, and production time and can help shape a sustainable future for the aerospace industry. 

Luxovius will demonstrate and enable significant energy reduction in the production of thermoplastic composite aerospace parts. The autoclave - a large, metal chamber, used to process thermoplastic parts under high pressure - will be replaced by presses, which pre-form and consolidate, in combination with smart heated tools. This new solution will significantly reduce the energy consumption of the manufacturing process as well as cost and production time.

Boikon will develop new machines while GKN Aerospace will develop the tools and integrate the new equipment in the production process. Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre will share its extensive expertise in composites and help to realise the sustainability ambition. Researchers and students from NHL Stenden bring specific knowledge and will have the opportunity to experience the latest technology in the aerospace sector and contribute to cutting-edge research.