“A key part of a successful transition from metals to composites is understanding the most suitable technology level,” comments Eduardo Galofre, CEO, MEL Composites. “For Singular Aircraft, who are bringing production of lightweight composite parts in-house for the first time, vacuum bagged and infused components can provide impressive weight savings and excellent qualitywhilst avoiding the cost and complexity of setting up for autoclaved prepreg manufacturing.”

After a classroom introduction to composite materials and their processes, the Singular training moved to the workshop. Guiding Singular’s technicians through every step of the process, the MEL team supported the production of two composite wing parts. A solid laminate covering for the wing skin and a foam sandwich leading edge section were produced with vacuum infusion; the finished parts resulted in significant weight savings compared to existing aluminum parts.
“When a customer is relatively new to composites, we like to focus on the critical factors that will impact their success with the new process. We can take away a lot of the variables by supplying a package of high quality materials and consumables optimised for their process, and then we show them how important consistent control of lay-up techniques, workshop conditions and curing strategy is for a great result, time after time.”