Objetives

The main objective of ECO-CLIP is to demonstrate the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of manufacturing high added-value structural aircraft parts (frame clips and system brackets) using recycled CF/LMPAEK obtained from factory waste.

To achieve this objective, ECO-CLIP will attach the substitution of classical clips and brackets manufacturing processes for near-net-shape cost efficient and easy to implement processes such as injection moulding and 3D printing. Moreover, ECO-CLIP will develop a specific ultrasonic welding procedure for joining the frame clips and system brackets to the aircraft structure, avoiding the need of fasteners which will allow not only economical cost reductions but also will reduce the environmental impact.

ECO-CLIP innovations will be developed to contribute to the following specific technical objectives:

Innovative short fibre reinforced thermoplastic parts from factory waste:

• Development and optimization of a recycling process able to convert long fibre LMPAEK composite in short fibre reinforced compounds by highly efficient mechanical recycling.
• Re-design of frame clips and systems brackets considering the new material manufacturing routes.
• Validation of the injection processability of the recycled material.
• Demonstration of the structural behaviour of developed clips and brackets.
• Evaluation of FDM 3D printing technology as alternative route to injection moulding for small cadence parts manufacturing.

Customizable & modular moulds

• Mould design and manufacturing for frame clips and brackets accomplishing the injection process particularities, assuring an efficient production.

Joining technologies

• Definition and optimization of a welding procedure to join the innovative injected parts to the fuselage structure.

Environmental & Economic assessment

• Assessment of the environmental and economic life cycles of the ECO-CLIP developments.