Web Industries launches composite formatting line in France

The new production line adds capacity to serve growing demand for both thermoset and thermoplastic slit tape composites from aerospace fabricators across the European market.

The 48-head line is the first of many that Web Industries expects to install at Omega Systèmes, which was acquired by Web in January 2019. The line’s custom slitting and spooling capabilities mirror those of Web’s North American precision converting operations, enabling the company to offer identical formatting services and quality standards to customers on both sides of the Atlantic. The new line can take master rolls of composite materials, precision slit them into narrower widths and then traverse wind the slit material onto spools. Customers can then easily load these spools of slit tape onto their robotic automated tape laying machinery or other fabrication equipment.

“We are entering an era in which competition will intensify, and production optimisation will be an increasingly important factor in productivity gains,” said Web Industries’ vice-president of Corporate Development, Kevin Young. “The new machinery we have developed and implemented can format both thermoset and thermoplastic composite materials to supply the entire European market.”

With this capacity investment, Web Industries is deploying resources to help customers meet composite material requirements for next-generation aircraft programmes. These programmes are expected to drive a surge in manufacturing of single-aisle aircraft with significant composite content.

“We are focused on this challenge and are working with material suppliers, automation developers and fabricators to find new approaches that deliver improved yields, increased throughput and lower cost,” said Michael Quarry, vice-president of aerospace operations, Web Industries.

www.webindustries.com