A multi-robotic manufacturing system inside NIAR's Advanced Technology Lab for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS) supports projects recently named finalists for top honors by the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo and the American Composites Manufacturers Association.

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Several groundbreaking manufacturing research programs from Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) have been named finalists for the industry’s top honors by the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) and the American Composites Manufacturer’s Association (ACMA) Awards for Composites Excellence (ACE).

All five recognized research initiatives were conducted at NIAR’s Advanced Technology Lab for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS) as part of the Modeling for Affordable Sustainable Composites program, sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory.

The flagship CAMX Award honors innovations poised to make a significant impact on the composites and advanced materials marketplace. Three NIAR ATLAS projects have been selected as finalists:

• Automated Toolless Manufacturing (AToM) in Space (finalist for the CAMX Combined Strength Award): This multi-robotic advanced manufacturing system aims to reduce reliance on Earth-based logistics by fabricating thermoplastic composite structures directly in space without tooling. The Combined Strength Award recognizes collaborative efforts that unite expertise, resources and talent to deliver groundbreaking composite solutions.
• Implementing In-Process Inspection Protocols for Automated Fiber Placement of Composites Structures (finalist for the CAMX Outstanding Paper Award): The new In-Process AFP Manufacturing Inspection System (IAMIS) uses advanced sensors and machine learning to detect and respond to defects in real time during automated fiber placement (AFP), a critical process in building composite aircraft structures. IAMIS significantly reduces downtime for secondary checks, resulting in faster production rates, lower costs per part, and fewer material scraps due to the system’s ability to continuously learn and optimize.
• Overbraided Single-Piece Serpentine Duct with Melt-Out Core (finalist for the CAMX Unsurpassed Innovation Award) — This project focuses on high-rate, low-cost tooling and manufacturing methods for complex part production. The Unsurpassed Innovation Award honors novel designs that combine innovative manufacturing approaches with the potential to reshape existing markets or create entirely new ones.

In addition to these CAMX honors, three NIAR ATLAS projects are finalists for ACE Awards in the manufacturing category:

• Ultra-High-Rate Manufacturing of Thermoplastic Aircraft Tip Rib Using Hybrid Overmolding
• Automated Toolless Manufacturing (AToM) in Space
• System Development for High-Rate Manufacturing of Thermoplastic Wing Rib Structure

The ACE Awards, sponsored by Composites One and presented by ACMA, celebrate exceptional achievements in technology, manufacturing, and product development. Six awards will be presented across three categories at CAMX.

“Recognition under both CAMX and ACE for multiple projects is a testament to the impactful applied research conducted at NIAR in support of our industry partners,” said Waruna Seneviratne, director of NIAR ATLAS.

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Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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