SurfaceGeneration Launches New Project

New Project from Surface Generation

Surface Generation, a provider of advanced carbon fiber processing technologies, has begun work on an 18-month research and development project to produce lightweight carbon fiber components suitable for the automotive industry. Supported by Innovate UK, Surface Generation is working with project partners to manufacture improved automotive components and is utilizing its patented PtFS production process to benefit from long fiber reinforced carbon composite material with short fiber thermoplastics. Surface Generation is developing solutions for the production of test coupons, sub-element components and demonstration materials designed to improve the performance of automotive structures. The consortium, part of the (TOSCAA) Thermoplastic Overmoulding for Structural Composite Automotive Applications project, is managed by SGL Carbon Fibers and includes Jaguar Land Rover, Engenuity, LMAT, Nifco, Nottingham University and AMRC at Sheffield University. The project has also secured funding exceeding GBP 2 million under government funds provided for initiatives in the United Kingdom focused on making automobiles lighter and achieving fuel savings. The advanced manufacturing techniques developed by Surface Generation are based on the unique PtFS process that employs active thermal management technologies added to mold surfaces to adjust heating and cooling levels in real time for each mold area and process stage. PtFS is already being used by global automotive, aerospace and consumer electronics manufacturers to increase the quality and efficiency of compression and injection molding applications and will be further developed throughout the project. Surface Generation CEO Ben Halford stated: "The benefits of lightweight carbon fiber materials have been proven in Formula 1 and high-end supercars, but are mostly not economical outside niche applications. Surface Generation's PtFS technology will expand thermoplastic overmoulding capabilities and will thereby create a new class of cost-sensitive automotive components that can benefit from the functional advantages of carbon composites."