Lightweight solutions out of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CRP)
Carbon fibre reinforced plastic, in short CRP, might just be the perfect solution to cost-efficiently guarantee robustness and longevity at a much lower weight. This is why Liebherr has decided to tap into the innovative technology to find ways of using the carbon fibre reinforced plastic to optimise their components.
The strengths of fibre composite technology
Carbon fibre reinforced plastics offer maximum design flexibility in component development. The wide variety of starting materials and the orientation of the reinforcing fibres make for versatility in the modelling of the composites, thereby offering individual solutions for wide-ranging requirement profiles.
CRP is deployed wherever you want weight and performance optimisation to increase the competitiveness of a component and, by extension, of the overall system. Moreover, the damping properties and thermal expansion are tailored to suit. And all this is corrosion-free.
Example applications
Liebherr has a keen understanding of customers and their applications. This allows trends and potential in lightweight construction to be identified at an early stage. Thanks to marketable solutions, the customer requirements of tomorrow are already being satisfied today, to guarantee global mutual competitiveness.
Higher, faster, further
Lightweight construction using tailor-made composites are used in the design of cranes and construction machinery, where conventional materials are at their static and dynamic limits. They allow load-bearing, working height and work speed capacities to be extended.
Example applications
Mobility in flux
Fibre-reinforced materials reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of motor vehicles. This means that load capacities and travel ranges are increased. Here we have Liebherr working together with customers on actively shaping the mobility of tomorrow.
Example applications
Setting standards
The characteristic material properties of fibre composites can be seen at work in such a wide range of industrial applications. Low moving masses and temperature independence are revolutionising the worlds of machine construction and measurement and testing technology. In the field of consumer goods, too, CRP sets performance standards.
Example applications
New energy
Powerful material combinations play an important role in the generation and storage of energy, and in electrical machinery. A significant increase in efficiency is accompanied by reduced expenditure on maintenance. Composites make alternative energy and drive concepts competitive and in this way contribute significantly toward sustainability.
Example applications
Whatever the weather
CFRP is a non-corrosive material, making it ideal for use in tough environmental conditions. This positive effect comes in useful in shipbuilding, for example. The weight savings also mean lower energy consumption. As a consequence, operating costs come down while load capacity and range go up.
Example applications
Up, up and away
The aerospace industry has forever been a driver of innovation in lightweight construction technologies. Every kilogram of weight saved has a positive effect on energy consumption throughout the entire service life of an aircraft. Since a lower mass also increases the possible payload and range of the aircraft, lightweight construction can provide a decisive competitive edge.
In space travel, the use of composites makes apparently impossible targets achievable. Modern space travel without composites is no longer conceivable.
Liebherr – Your development partner
In the process of seeking solutions, Liebherr is the development partner at your side from day one. Experienced colleagues take charge of all necessary steps from requirements analysis through to production-capable solution, and always with an eye on customer needs.
In cooperation with the customer, Liebherr overcomes any challenges that may arise throughout the product life cycle. As such, solutions are adjusted as needed and adapted to new requirements.
All under one roof
From development to manufacture, Liebherr has gathered all necessary CRP skills in-house. The robotised winding machine enables the flexible implementation of individual customer solutions. Thanks to the high degree of automation, raw materials are also processed efficiently and sparingly. In this way we are able to achieve stable production processes that are reflected in the high quality of Liebherr products.
Carbon fibre technology for the needs of tomorrow
Find out more about the CRP material
