This was precisely the focus of the CU Innovation Day “Industrialised Composite Production of Tomorrow” on 28 and 29 September in Varel. Over 90 participants gathered at the Varel Technology Centre to discuss the production of tomorrow’s composite components.

The focus was on the entire process chain and the question of how composite manufacturing can be made more efficient, scalable and automated – from future component requirements, through tooling and manufacturing strategies, to software and digital processes, automated production and post-processing, quality assurance and the path to series production.

One thing became clear time and again: Technical progress does not arise solely from individual process steps, but above all from the interaction across the entire value chain. This is precisely where a network such as Composites United can play to its strengths – by bringing machine and plant manufacturers, users, researchers and technology providers together in dialogue.

In addition to the specialist presentations and discussions, the networking event at Broetje Automation, as well as the site visits to Airbus in Varel and the Broetje Automation production facility in Rastede, provided an opportunity to learn about technologies and applications first-hand.

A big thank you to our host Broetje Automation and, in particular, to Lutz Neugebauer, as well as to Marc Fette, CTC, and Tim Behrens, Airbus, for their support and hospitality.

And, of course: Thank you to all the speakers, participants and partners for two days full of expertise, exchange and fresh ideas!