Case Studies

Composites Mapping

04/07/2006

The use of composite materials is increasing across many industrial sectors – not just in areas such as aerospace, marine or wind energy, but also in less obvious areas such as medical equipment and infrastructure.

SMEs in a wide range of industries will be affected by this growth. Compared with conventional materials, composites offer a wide variety of challenges and opportunities for those organisations prepared to innovate.

Our investigations have highlighted wider opportunities for composites training (vocational) across the aerospace sector (and beyond). A clear picture of the current state of composites manufacturing in Wales must be developed.

Extensive discussions were led with parties linked to the National Composites Network including direct discussions with TWI and with the MAS Wales team.  BIC Innovation and NCN have prepared outline discussion proposals to explore the wider composites opportunities and challenges across Wales.

As part of BIC's all-Wales aerospace training academy project work we investigated the challenges facing the sector (UK and international) relating to the rapid changeover from metal components and structures to increasing use of composites.