Glossary

Bulk Moulding Compound

A paste or film of thermoset resin which is cured under heat/pressure to bond composite, honeycomb and metal-based surfaces.

Very stiff and strong fibre, such as Kevlar ^(TM), derived from polymid.

Computer Aided Design

Computer Aided Manufacturing.

In composite sandwich construction, the core is the centre component to which inner and outer skins are attached. Foam, honeycomb and wood are common core materials.

The process of hardening of a thermosetting resin by using heat.

Enterprise Resource Planning. Software used for managing production, stock, HR, accounting etc.

Aerospace structure designed to provide enhanced aerodynamics, such as where the body of a plane meets a wing.

Filaments of molten glass, which are then woven into a fabric and often used as a reinforcement for composite materials.

Manufacturing process used for items such as cylinders. Fibres have resin impregnated into them and are then wound over a form of the required part shape.

Cellular structure formed into hexagonal cells, similar to that of a beehive. By using composite materials it produces an extremely lightweight yet strong component.

Materials Requirement Planning. Software for managing works orders, bills of materials, stock etc.

Protective shell of a jet engine, designed to provide insulation and noise reduction.

Refers to a selection of plies that are/have been cut from a roll of material. Nesting software is used to find the best pattern for material efficiency e.g. squeezing as many plies on the roll as possible.

One layer of material. A part manufactured from composite material consists of layers of plies.

Composite material combined with a resin. Prepreg material needs to be stored in a freezer to maintain usability. When cured under high temperature and pressure the fabric and resin provide exceptional strength.

Radio Frequency Identification. Alternative to barcode, often used for tracking items such as material through a factory.