TRB Lightweight Structures is to open a composites manufacturing centre in Richmond, Kentucky, as a joint venture with Toyota Tsusho America.
The 40,000 square foot facility will be equipped with robotics to allow high volume production of carbon fibre components using TRB’s press-forming process, initially focusing on the automotive sector.
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Carbon fibre components offer a number of benefits for automotive applications, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs), where lightweight components can be used to increase vehicle range.
However, use of the material has traditionally been limited to high-end, low volume products, due to laborious and costly manufacturing processes. TRB maintains it has developed a production process which allows carbon fibre to be press-formed using industrial robotics, allowing components to be manufactured at a similar price point to equivalent aluminium parts.
The new Richmond facility will complement TRB’s UK manufacturing operations, providing greater access to these materials for the North American market.
“We are delighted to announce the creation of TRB Lightweight Structures America together with Toyota Tsusho America,” said TRB MD, Richard Holland.
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By GlobalData“The UK is a global leader in composites.”
