Vacuum Assisted Processes for Composites
At the Augsburg centre of competence of EADS Military Air Systems, a new production method has been developed for faster and more cost-effective manufacture of composite parts, the Vacuum Assisted Process (VAP), for which a patent has been registered.
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During the normal production of composite components, the material is cured in an autoclave. By contrast, in the new Augsburg process the pressure is generated by vacuum. There is therefore no need for the special oven, which is costly to purchase and complicated to operate. This new technology enables especially large components to be produced in a fast and cost-efficient manner. VAP is already being used for the series production of panels for the flap tracks of the A380 and in the manufacture of parts for the fuselage centre section of Eurofighter.
