What Are the Signs of a Leading Composite Manufacturing Company?
For thousands of years, humanity has combined two or more materials to form a new composite material where the original materials are still distinct. Usually, composites are created to utilize strengths from both materials while overshadowing their vulnerabilities.
An early example of composites was when Mongolian conquerors created superior bows with composite materials made of pine resin, bamboo, silk, livestock ligaments, and cattle horn in the 12th century.
In 1907, chemist Leo Baekeland broke new ground, when he combined delicate resin with cellulose to create a synthetic resin called Bakelite, later used in Rolls Royce cars.
Today, composite manufacturing serves industries such as construction, medical, defence, automotive, marine, electrical, aerospace, clean energy, home, and many more. For example, composite materials used for military applications are strong, adaptable, lightweight, and found in combat jets, unmanned drones, and armoured vehicles.
In fact, modern composite materials are preferred by many industries over steel as they’re lighter, more adaptable, corrosion-resistant, and sound insulators.
Here is what differentiates advanced composite manufacturing companies from the rest:
- A track record of success on projects of various scale
- End-to-end services from design to engineering
- Cutting edge technology powering class-leading manufacturing equipment
- Decades of experience in the field
- Unrivalled product quality
- A team of passionate and skilled professionals
Quality Control
Top composite manufacturing companies are trusted by their clients because they offer unparalleled quality control. They customize their quality plans to suit the distinctive needs of every client in a three-step process.
- They identify all essential features and components of their projects
- They document each aspect of the development with meticulous detail
- They prudently appraise each feature and element in order to achieve 100% quality
Their engineering and quality departments are remarkably accessible to their clients from design and review to the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP). Moreover, they offer inspection services within their facilities or their client’s factories for maximum quality control.
Metrological Traceability
Top composite manufacturing companies only use traceably calibrated metrology equipment like FARO’s Laser Tracker, Platinum Arm, Silver Arm, or Mitutoyo’s Digital Height Gauges or Digital Verniersin order to perform correct calibrations at manufacturing plants and follow the highest standards.
Kit Cutting
More modern composite manufacturers take advantage of CNC (computer numerical control) machines to produce accurate pre-cut textile kids. With CNC cutting, the process is also more cost-effective for several reasons.
- Less labour is required to manage multiple machinery
- CNC cutting is more accurate, saving material, energy, and preventing costly human errors
- The faster process results in greater output
CNC cutting can also be utilized to cut multiple materials, including carbon fibre, fibreglass, paper, foam, vinyl, nylon, plastics, and infusion consumables.
Some manufactures even utilize 6-Axis robotic waterjets to save time over hand trimming and enhance the finishing of parts. This sophisticated machinery can cut carbon fibre, fibreglass, carpet, wood, plastic, and even various thin materials.
Global Scale
Remember, many international markets have niche requirements. Only the top composite manufactures have the expertise, experience, and understanding to serve clientele globally. They can digitalize customer patterns from virtually anywhere worldwide with their state-of-the-art technology and watertight production protocols.
