BioStruct Initiative Undertakes Validation of Biocomposite-Focused Manufacturing Techniques
Spanish research center Ideko (Elgoibar) announces that it is participating in BioStruct, a 3-year European project that strives to solve the technical problems associated with the use of bio-based composites in industrial structures for sectors such as wind energy or maritime. Due to their less regular and solid properties, biocomposites — while providing sustainable alternatives to replacing synthetic reinforcements like carbon and glass fiber — can still be challenging to implement.
The initiative’s main objective, by December 2026, is to develop and validate new manufacturing processes to boost the use of biocomposites. Objectives include:
- Developing an accurate draping process to control fiber orientation
- Creating material models to capture natural variability
- Integrate nanostructured, bio-based sensors for load monitoring.
Ideko is contributing its know-how in 3D measurement technologies and vision techniques to support and synchronize with the draping manufacturing process and improve its precision.
“Natural composites exhibit greater variability in terms of dimension, weight and appearance,” explains Ibai Leizea, expert in vision technologies at Ideko’s precision engineering research group. “Therefore, precision is crucial when handling fabrics made from natural fibers, especially during the cutting and draping of composite parts. This project will provide a deeper understanding of the mechanical properties of bio-based materials to accurately design structural components and enable their use in such applications.”
Source: CompositesWorld
