Construction and Manufacturing

Thermal Control System (TCS) for CubeSats
Space Technology

11 February 2022

R&D case: Mini multi-parallel micro pump development

Mini multi parallel micro pump development The challenge Development, production and launch costs for CubeSats are very low compared to conventional satellites. This has sparked interests from industry to develop their own CubeSats. The drive for volume and mass optimisation from the industry has led to miniaturisation of electronics in CubeSats. To keep costs down, […]
Platform Technology

31 August 2021

R&D case: Integrated antennas for aerostructures (ACASIAS)

Advanced Concepts for Aero-Structures with Integrated Antennas and Sensors (ACASIAS). The European ACASIAS project will be reducing the energy consumption of aeroplanes in the future by improving their aerodynamic performance. NLR, together with Fokker Aerostructures, is investigating smarter ways of using parts of the fuselage by adding functions to them, such as building in a […]
CFRP Vinci Thrust Frame - composite
Construction and Manufacturing

12 July 2021

R&D case: CFRP Vinci thrust frame for the Ariane 6 launcher

Optimising the engine thrust frame of the Ariane 6 launcher. The Ariane 6 Launcher will enter a very competitive commercial launcher market. New entrants to this market have reduced the launch price per unit mass payload by half (50%). Compared to Ariane 5 the production costs of the Ariane 6 launcher should be reduced by […]
Construction and Manufacturing

23 June 2021

World’s largest known thermoplastic aircraft structure (MFFD/STUNNING)

An 8.5 meter long fuselage skin made of thermoplastics has been produced by automated fibre placement. Within the MFFD framework Royal NLR, together with GKN Fokker (lead), TU Delft, and Germany’s Diehl, have taken on their own project called STUNNING. Their goal is to demonstrate and validate how the use of composites, namely thermoplastics, can […]
NLR Fibre Placement Machine
Construction and Manufacturing

31 March 2021

SUSTAINair is investing in circular aviation for the green transition

The SUSTAINair project is investigating and developing solutions for sustainably using raw materials and improving the performance of aircraft. This Horizon 2020 project, which recently got off the ground, is aiming at the same time to achieve circular aviation by drastically reducing the waste and material costs throughout the lifecycle of the aeroplane. Because of the […]
ACM Pilot Plant at NLR Marknesse
Construction and Manufacturing

17 February 2021

Digital twins in the aircraft manufacturing industry

Digital twins are a derived virtual item that can have a positive effect on automated production processes. Royal NLR is using this innovation to optimise the production process for composite components and human-machine interactions. Digital twins improve control the production process and help optimise it. The digital variant goes through the same process steps at […]
professional RPAS drone operations
Sustainability and Environment

03 February 2021

Flying safely with liquid hydrogen

NLR will demonstrate drone flights fuelled by liquid hydrogen stored in tanks made entirely of composite material – a lightweight solution, with no risk of metal fatigue. With this, NLR is taking the next step towards safe, climate-neutral aviation, contributing to the ambitions of the Dutch ‘Duurzame Luchtvaartakkoord’ (Sustainable Aviation Accord) and the associated ‘Actieprogramma […]
Construction and Manufacturing

09 December 2020

The NLR Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology Centre (MAMTeC)

Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology Centre (MAMTeC) is the 3D metal printing research centre in the Netherlands. We support companies from various industries in applying Metal Additive Manufacturing. This manufacturing technology is used to fabricate metal products with less weight, better performance and higher efficiency. MAMTeC was established in 2013 starting with Laser Powder Bed Fusion, […]
Construction and Manufacturing

07 December 2020

Multifunctional structures for more sustainable aircraft with integrated antennas (ACASIAS)

The aviation industry needs more sustainable aircraft: the CO2 and NOx emissions of international air traffic must be reduced. This requires innovative technologies that reduce aircraft fuel consumption. The Horizon2020 ACASIAS project has taken up this challenge by improving aerodynamic performance and by facilitating the introduction of fuel-efficient engines such as Counter-Rotating Open Rotors, which […]