Finite element analyses of blunt notch in Glare Glare is a fibre-metal-laminate consisting of thin layers of aluminium bonded to layers of glass-fibre reinforced epoxy. This low-weight material is being used in parts of the fuselage of the new Airbus A380. Since many holes or blunt notches occur in the airframe, such as windows and rivet holes, the blunt notch…read more →
Weight management in luxury yacht building Royal Van Lent is known world-wide for it’s exclusive super-yachts. These ships are characterised by their high standard of finishing. The objective for Royal Van Lent was to combine this kind of luxury with high speed. The Ecstasea has an overall length of 86 meter and a top speed of above 30 knots. Royal…read more →
Development of a composite scaffolding board for Altrex Altrex is a Dutch company specialised in the production of ladders and stepladders for domestic use and access equipment for industrial use. The professional product line provided by Altrex includes scaffold systems. The scaffolding boards that are part of these scaffold systems are made of a wooden panel fitted into an aluminium…read more →
Damage modeling for Fibre Metal Laminates To predict and optimize the behavior of an FML aircraft structure, the availability of accurate and reliable material models is a necessity. Such material models should be able to simulate the influence of e.g. moisture, temperature and voids. In addition, damage mechanisms like delamination and matrix cracking must be accounted for. During the project…read more →
Liquid oxygen compatible composite pressure vessel Aspirespace is a non-profit organisation, which has set its goal to launch small payloads into the upper atmosphere, starting with the Aspire 2 launch vehicle. Efforts focus on the development of a pressure fed hybrid rocket engine, using approximately 100 kg of liquid oxygen (LOX) oxidiser and polyethylene (HDPE) fuel. Because of the importance…read more →
Design of Lightweight parts for luxury yachts In the maritime sector, weight reduction is getting more and more important, just as in the automotive and aerospace sector. Especially parts that are placed high on the ship have a significant effect on the stability of the ship. Every kilogram saved on top of the ship saves three kilograms in the keel…read more →
Lightweight interior for luxury yacht De Vries Scheepsbouw in Aalsmeer is known world-wide for it’s exclusive super-yachts. These ships are characterised by their high standard of finishing. The objective for De Vries Scheepsbouw was to combine this kind of luxury with high speed in a yacht that had to reach a top speed of 45 knots. The ship concerned was…read more →
MIP antenna for Rosetta satellite ESA’s Rosetta is a scientific mission to explore the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The spacecraft was launched on 2 March 2004 and has a cruise time of nearly eleven years. The scientific objective of Rosetta is to study the cometary material with different experiments and instruments, both by remote-sensing and in situ observation on the surface of…read more →
Numerical optimization of composite MCR frame Giant is a well-known manufacturer of sports bicycles. These bicycles, especially those for the high-end market, have to be strong, stiff and as light as possible. ALE was asked to minimise the weight of a composite MCR frame, which was developed by Giant. The prescribed tests from Giant were all either dynamic or fatigue…read more →
Satellite antennas for ESA In October 2002 a small satellite was launched as part of the SMART-1 project of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Noordwijk. Its primary objective is to test Solar Electric Propulsion in flight conditions. The planetary objective selected for the SMART-1 mission is to orbit the Moon for a period of six months. It is the…read more →