Astrium Space Transportation is currently developing laser-assisted winding of thermoplastic-based composites with in-situ consolidation as well as automated fibre placement of the same materials. The objective is to be able to manufacture large scale out-of-autoclave motor cases for future launch vehicle applications with reduced costs, high productivity and reliability and taking into account environmental concerns and regulations. The paper presents the developments that have been carried out on materials and process methods, and, presents the manufacturing of various different demonstrator units.
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