Automated Dynamics (ADC), a manufacturer of composite structures and automated fibre placement (AFP) and automated tape laying (ATL) equipment, has got the US Patent 8,947,847 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for methods to automate incorporation of lightning strike protection layers into composite structures.

The groundbreaking development is expected to significantly lower production costs throughout several industries where such protection is necessary, including aerospace, oil and gas, wind energy, and others.

The invention incorporates the metallic lightning strike materials using traditional equipment and techniques for fibre placement and tape laying, produced by Automated Dynamics and others. The metallic mesh is embedded into pre-impregnated tape, offering the mesh support during placement and assuring full consolidation into the composite matrix. It is compatible with both thermoset and thermoplastic resin systems, Automated Dynamics said in a media release.

According to Automated Dynamics, the technology can be readily incorporated into the composite structures that they produce for companies in the composites end markets. ADC’s automation equipment can also be easily augmented to enable this capability.

Ralph Marcario, vice president of sales and marketing for Automated Dynamics said, “The necessary trend towards lower density LSP solutions has complicated integration of an automated manufacturing solution. This technology enables automation of this critical step and provides significant improvements in production time and dramatic decreases in production cost.”

Automated Dynamics specializes in the manufacture of advanced composite structures, high-performance automation equipment, and solutions-based engineering services. (GK)