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Web Industries unveils new composite formatting line

30 Apr '20

2 min read

Pic: Web Industries

Web Industries, a precision formatter of composite materials, has unveiled a high-volume composite slitting and spooling line at its Omega Systèmes plant in Nantes, France. The new production line will add capacity to help meet the 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 airplanes 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.

Web Industries is also equipped to develop nonwoven and material converting solutions that support the manufacture of disposable medical products, including masks and gowns, for the COVID-19 crisis throughout North America and Europe.

Web Industries’ Omega Systèmes business is currently filling an order for 7,800,000 personal face masks, up from 900,000 one week ago. The masks are approved by the French General Directorate of Armament to the Ministère des Armées for distribution to food manufacturers, supermarkets and nursing homes conducting business in France.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)