Lightweight construction is one of the game-changing technologies that focus on increasing growth and competitiveness as well as ensuring climate protection and sustainability. Carbon fibers (CF) play a prominent role as a reinforcing material for thermoplastics, as they offer a unique combination of low weight, high stiffness and strength combined with thermal, UV and corrosion resistance. For this reason, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components can already be produced today, which allow a 30% weight reduction compared to comparable aluminum components and even more than 50% compared to steel components. However, the mass use of these fibers in markets such as aviation, automotive, wind power, construction and infrastructure is still prevented today by the high price of the fibers, the petrochemical base and costly manufacturing processes. For these reasons, the newly established Carbon LabFactory, as a research campus and branch of Chemnitz University of Technology in Boxberg/Upper Lusatia, has set itself the goal of researching "green" carbon fibers, derived from the intergenerational and global challenges. In addition, the Carbon LabFactory will map the entire value chain in the future, from textile processes to plastics processing processes, because in addition to the CF itself, its processing into textile fabrics with 1D and 2D structures and 3D profiles plays an essential role. Numerous technologies are already part of the state of the art, the use of which depends on the number of units in general and in particular on the complexity of the end product. The processing methods have a significant influence on the material properties predominant in the component.

In order to determine possible applications of conventional and, in particular, the novel "green" carbon fibers in future-oriented textile technologies, Chemnitz University of Technology is inviting applications for research and development work on textile-forming technologies that complement its own research efforts. These include, on the one hand, the processing of CF into fully consolidated unidirectional tapes together with engineering plastics and high-performance polymer materials and, on the other hand, the provision of hybrid rovings consisting of carbon and polymer fibers. In addition to extensive preliminary investigations, both topics also include conceptual solutions and constructive implementation for the adaptation and modification of systems available on the market. The CF hybrid rovings must also be upgraded for use in continuous textile technologies. These include, on the one hand, processes for surface formation in the form of multi-layer fabrics, combined with other textile forms such as knitted fabrics, fabrics, braids, knitted fabrics, nonwovens, cut fibers and, on the other hand, the force-flow-oriented orientation of the CF hybrid rovings. The technology fusion of hybrid CF multilayer fabrics and a flow-oriented fiber application of hybrid CF rovings in a continuous process is intended to open up new applications and at the same time increase efficiency across the entire production chain, compared to thermoset prepregs and classic patching processes. Both technological approaches must be considered holistically and scientifically accompanied.

Lightweight construction is one of the game-changing technologies that focus on increasing growth and competitiveness as well as ensuring climate protection and sustainability. Carbon fibers (CF) play a prominent role as a reinforcing material for thermoplastics, as they offer a unique combination of low weight, high stiffness and strength combined with thermal, UV and corrosion resistance. For this reason, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components can already be produced today, which allow a 30% weight reduction compared to comparable aluminum components and even more than 50% compared to steel components. However, the mass use of these fibers in markets such as aviation, automotive, wind power, construction and infrastructure is still prevented today by the high price of the fibers, the petrochemical base and costly manufacturing processes. For these reasons, the newly established Carbon LabFactory, as a research campus and branch of Chemnitz University of Technology in Boxberg/Upper Lusatia, has set itself the goal of researching "green" carbon fibers, derived from the intergenerational and global challenges. In addition, the Carbon LabFactory will map the entire value chain in the future, from textile processes to plastics processing processes, because in addition to the CF itself, its processing into textile fabrics with 1D and 2D structures and 3D profiles plays an essential role. Numerous technologies are already part of the state of the art, the use of which depends on the number of units in general and in particular on the complexity of the end product. The processing methods have a significant influence on the material properties predominant in the component.

In order to determine possible applications of conventional and, in particular, the novel "green" carbon fibers in future-oriented textile technologies, Chemnitz University of Technology is inviting applications for research and development work on textile-forming technologies that complement its own research efforts. These include, on the one hand, the processing of CF into fully consolidated unidirectional tapes together with engineering plastics and high-performance polymer materials and, on the other hand, the provision of hybrid rovings consisting of carbon and polymer fibers. In addition to extensive preliminary investigations, both topics also include conceptual solutions and constructive implementation for the adaptation and modification of systems available on the market. The CF hybrid rovings must also be upgraded for use in continuous textile technologies. These include, on the one hand, processes for surface formation in the form of multi-layer fabrics, combined with other textile forms such as knitted fabrics, fabrics, braids, knitted fabrics, nonwovens, cut fibers and, on the other hand, the force-flow-oriented orientation of the CF hybrid rovings. The technology fusion of hybrid CF multilayer fabrics and a flow-oriented fiber application of hybrid CF rovings in a continuous process is intended to open up new applications and at the same time increase efficiency across the entire production chain, compared to thermoset prepregs and classic patching processes. Both technological approaches must be considered holistically and scientifically accompanied.