The showcase forms part of Composites UK’s series of sector specific events and builds on a growing partnership with the Rail Alliance, which formed at last year’s Advanced Engineering exhibition, where the two organisations brought a forum on fibre-reinforced polymer composites (FRPs) in the rail industry to the show floor.

Collaboration

“We are delighted to be working with Composites UK again for this Sector Showcase. Composites as a discipline and a technology stream is of increasing importance to the rail sector, and is case positive of the aspirations of the Rail Supply Group,” said Lucy Prior, the Membership Development and International Trade Director at the Rail Alliance.

“With an increasing proportion of our members hailing from the composites sector we are witnessing an ever increasing application of this technology into rail and subsequently there is increasing demand to learn more about composite technology.”

Challenges and opportunities

“Our members are comprised of companies working in all sectors, however we’re seeing a big increase in case studies coming from the rail and construction sectors in particular. The lightweight properties of FRPs means they are being used for many applications in the rail industry – from train doors and luggage pods to all-FRP bridges which can be installed overnight,” commented Claire Whysall, Communications Manager at Composites UK.

“Teaming up with the Rail Alliance means we can reach more companies who would like to find out about composite materials and how they can be utilising them. Perhaps more importantly it provides us with an opportunity to ask them what challenges they face and what the composites industry can do to solve these.”

The one-day event is open to all with discounts for Composites UK and Rail Alliance members. It is supported by a small exhibition with companies such as Axson, bigHead Bonding Fasteners, Core6, Creative Composites, ECS Engineering Services, ELG Carbon Fibre, Exel Composites, Magma Structures, Prea, R-Tech Services, and Tufcot Engineering on hand to answer any queries.

www.compositesuk.co.uk