Resin Infusion
Advanced composite materials have continued to take a greater role as the designs of new aircraft have evolved. The relentless drive for lower cost per seat-mile and the pressure of higher fuel prices has led to a fanatical pursuit of fuel efficiency through weight reduction, driving demand for even lighter and stronger advanced composite materials and seeking them at even lower cost.
Comtek is responding to this demand by developing new, low cost processes for the out-of-autoclave manufacture of highly-optimized, highly-loaded, aerospace quality structural parts.
Comtek's new technology involves the controlled infusion of resin into a tool containing a dry fabric lay-up. Dry fabric is much less expensive than the industry standard pre-impregnated fabric, providing a material cost advantage. Moreover, our resin infusion process is highly automated, which results in a labor cost advantage. These material and labor cost savings, when combined with lower capital and energy costs compared to autoclave processes, create a powerful cost-competitive combination that will power increased market penetration and growth for Comtek's manufacturing business.
Comtek is in the midst of a series of patent applications to protect its technology. The first patent application, submitted last year, is for Comtek's 'SmartFlow' process for the unique method of resin infusion that we have developed. The second application, code-named 'SmartCure', was submitted earlier this year and covers the automated curing process. Both 'SmartFlow' and 'SmartCure' are currently employed in the manufacture of certified production parts for the Airbus A380 aircraft.
Our go-forward technology plan anticipates another 5-6 patent applications during the next 3 years.
