Press systems for Airbus A350 CFRP window frames

BBG Group

Airbus A350 fuselage showing the aircraft windows and A350 model designation

Customized production solutions for advanced composite components

Oval CFRP aircraft window frame for the Airbus A350 showing the composite material structure

BBG worked together with its customer ACE Advanced Composite Engineering to develop and implement a production solution for manufacturing CFRP window frames for the Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000. The system comprises hydraulic hot presses as well as inmold and demold turning stations for tool handling.

The equipment has been in production for many years and is regularly maintained by BBG.

Press technology for CFRP processing

The hot presses accommodate and hold the closed molds under pressure during resin injection and curing. Heated press platens maintain the required process temperature of 160 °C throughout the curing cycle.

Key process parameters are automatically monitored and recorded during production. This enables traceability of manufacturing conditions, an essential requirement in aerospace industry.

Technical specifications of the reference system

Press platen dimensions: 1,000 x 1,100 mm
Maximum opening: 610 mm
Mold weight in the customer's application: up to 800 kg
Maximum pressing force: 1,000 kN
Process temperature during curing: 160 °C

Two hydraulic BBG hot presses with control panels for manufacturing CFRP window frames for the Airbus A350

Inmold and demold stations for mold preparation and part removal

Open BBG inmold turning station with raised upper tool holder and side-mounted rotary drive

The inmold turning station allows ergonomic loading of the molds with carbon fiber preforms. An automatic clamping system secures the mold halves in the turning station before they are separated by a short parallel movement and opened through 180°.

After the preforms have been inserted, the mold is closed and preheated in a thermally insulated chamber with integrated heating plates. The preheated mold is then transferred to the hot press using a transport trolley, where resin injection and curing take place.

Once the manufacturing process is complete, the mold is transferred to the demold station. Here, the mold halves are opened to allow ergonomic removal of the finished CFRP component.

Customized production equipment - from development to modernization

This project demonstrates BBG's expertise in developing and implementing integrated production solutions for fiber-reinforced composite components.

In addition to the original development and manufacturing of the equipment, BBG's services include long-term technical support, maintenance, refurbishment and upgrades to meet changing production requirements.

BBG applies this experience to the development of customized tooling, press systems and automation solutions for a wide range of composite manufacturing applications.