New developments in the field of fibre-reinforced plastic structures (FRP) will be presented at JEC 2026. These are intended to improve the performance and manufacturability of future lightweight structures.
A novel multi-layer-insert concept developed by IFW is presented using the rear wheel suspension of the CFRP chassis of the Krone Big X. The inserts have already proven their practical suitability on Krone's X-Poster test bench. Due to its scalability, its use is not limited to agricultural machinery.
Experimental investigations show that the load capacity can be increased by more than 100 per cent compared to unreinforced samples by using the insert. The project was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) as part of the Lightweight Construction Technology Transfer Programme (TTP LB). We would like to thank the BMWE for funding the project. We would also like to thank our project partners Krone Maschinenfabrik GmbH, MD Composites Technology GmbH and the PuK at Clausthal University of Technology
In addition, an automated design methodology was named a finalist for the JEC Awards 2026. The approach translates the result of topology optimisation into a geometry that can be manufactured using automated fibre placement (AFP) by integrating manufacturing restrictions directly into the development process as digital design rules. Due to its system-independent design, the developed approach can be transferred to any AFP system as well as different aircraft fuselages, wings and other weight-optimised components.
The aim of the underlying project is to design aircraft structures and associated process chains in an integrated manner, with a particular focus on automated fibre placement technologies for the resource-efficient manufacture of lightweight structures. This was demonstrated with the production of two full-scale fuselage sections of the MDA1 eViator, a fully electric CS-23 regional aircraft with ten seats, which is being developed as part of the project SHOREliner. The innovative aircraft combines lightweight fibre composite construction with a battery replacement system and enables emission-free short-haul flights in ecologically sensitive coastal regions.
The project is part of the Federal Aeronautical Research Programme (LUFO VI-3) and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), based on a decision by the German Bundestag, and is administered by the Program Management Agency for Aviation Research (PT-LF) of the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
We would like to thank the BMWE for funding the project. We would also like to thank our project partners MD Aircraft, Broetje Automation, the PuK at Clausthal University of Technology and the IFL at Braunschweig University of Technology.
The technologies presented highlight the enormous innovation potential of modern FRP concepts and point the way to more resilient, efficient and sustainably producible lightweight structures in various industrial sectors. Take this opportunity to find out about the latest technologies and talk to our experts.
Contact:
For further information, please contact David Garthe on +49 4141 77638 24 or by email at garthe@ifw.uni-hannover.de.
