W.S.G. Isaac Newton

GKN Fokker Aerospace in Hoogeveen mainly produces composite parts for the aerospace industry for a large variety of companies. Recently the Global Technology Centre (GTC) opened in Hoogeveen where the R&D department is located. At the GTC a lot of research is done regarding out-of autoclave consolidation processes of prepreg thermoplastic composites. This research is needed to decrease the costs of producing aerospace parts since consolidating with an autoclave is very expensive.

The internship assignment was to research and improve a low-cost Vacuum-bag Oven Consolidation process to produce a leading edge for an Urban Air Mobility aircraft. A new mould was available which needed to be tested. Next to this the process also needed to be qualified, for which a start was made by doing in-plane shear tests with a tensile machine.

During the internship, the student is fully in charge of their research and a lot of work is done in close collaboration with the R&D and workplace staff. Most of the testing can be done by yourself in the workshop, which makes it an overall fun and educational experience where practical skills and theoretical skills are both applied.