Teledyne CML Composites Makes Significant Investment in Thermoplastic Processing
Capability in Conjunction with the National Composites Centre
BROMBOROUGH, UK – May 13, 2021 -- Advanced composites manufacturer Teledyne CML Composites has
completed a significant investment in a new Thermoplastic processing cell developed in conjunction with the UK’s
National Composites Centre (NCC).
The new processing cell utilizes two press and oven systems offering IR heating, platen heating, and a maximum
force of 400 tons. The processing cell is capable of processing multiple aerospace, high performance reinforced
Thermoplastics such as PEEK, PEKK, PPS, and PEI.
The new Thermoplastic processing cell provides a significant capacity increase at Teledyne CML Composites to
support the continued growth of the commercial and defence aerospace composites manufacturer.
“Having identified Thermoplastics as a key technology in our long term growth ambitions, this investment adds an
exciting new automated manufacturing capability to our business and places Teledyne CML Composites at the
forefront of composites manufacturing technology,” said John Toner, Vice President & General Manager, Teledyne
Aerospace and Defence Electronics UK (TADE UK) and General Manager of Teledyne CML Composites.
Not just limited to Thermoplastic composites, the new processing cell allows Teledyne CML Composites the ability
to produce compression moulded thermoset parts. This new capability also enables the “Out of Autoclave”
production of foam and honeycomb sandwich panels such as those used in aircraft interiors.
“The NCC is very pleased to have worked with Teledyne CML Composites on setting up this new capability, which
is a real step change in the manufacture of aerospace Thermoplastic composites in the UK. With manufacturing
cycle times measured in minutes rather than hours, Thermoplastic composites have great potential for higher rate
processing in aerospace applications. They have the ability to be welded together for rapid assembly and are
considered more sustainable than thermosets due to increased recovery options at the end of product lifetime,”
said Sean Cooper, Chief Engineer for Defence and Space at the NCC.
Teledyne CML Composites continues to enjoy a period of significant growth as a composites manufacturer to
commercial aerospace and defence aerospace customers worldwide. For decades, this industry sector has
continually expanded as designers develop enhancements to performance, range, and payload through weight
reduction of new generations of aircraft, whether commercial or military. Teledyne CML Composites’ investment in
Thermoplastic processing technology underscores the company’s long-term plans to play a key part in this industry
sector.
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL COMPOSITES CENTRE
The National Composites Centre (NCC) is a world-class research centre, where companies of any size and across industry sectors can access
cutting-edge technology and specialist engineers. It is one of seven centres that form the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and focuses on
accelerating the adoption of high-value, sustainable engineering solutions in composites, in order to stimulate growth, and enhance capability
for the benefit of the UK. The NCC has over 350 composite specialists based at its Bristol facility and offers open-access to cutting-edge digital
manufacturing technology for the design, and development of new composite products pulling through technology from the lab to large-scale
production. Visit www.nccuk.com.
