CCP Gransden Advanced Composites Design and Manufacturing

CCP Gransden is a leading specialist in advanced composites design and manufacture, engineering innovative performance improvements for our clients through these robust materials.

With over 125 years in the business, CCP Gransden has evolved from the shipbuilding and repair industry into the development and manufacture of advanced composites across high-value manufacturing sectors such as aerospace, transportation, security and defence.

Continuous fibre thermoplastic composites

CCP Gransden is highly skilled in using continuous fibre thermoplastic composites, including high-performance polymers such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetherimide (PEI), and polyamides. CCP Gransden can deliver these solutions reliably and rapidly with fast cycle time and in high volume (approximately 100,000 parts a year).

Advanced high-volume manufacturing cell

CCP Gransden owns a fully automated cell with a press for high-volume production. The sophisticated machinery offers rapid tool changing and full automation, also ensuring enhanced traceability and data capture.

Single-stage overmoulding of thermoplastic composites

CCP Gransden was one of the first companies to champion innovation in single-stage overmoulding, which has enabled our team to gain experience at the forefront of the process.

During the process, injection moulding and continuous fibre thermoplastic laminates are combined in a specific single process. It offers part reduction, incorporation of ribs and net-formed components.

In-press snap cure thermoset composites

CCP Gransden offers a range of in-press snap cure thermoset composites. Processes include SMC, HPRTM, and snap cure prepregs.

Robotic 7-axis filament winding

Our manufacturing facility has an advanced MF Tech 7-axis robotic fibre placement filament winding cell. It supports filament wound components via both wet winding and towpreg process, part size up to 4m in length and 1m in diameter, symmetrical or asymmetrical cross-sections, linear or non-linear sweeps, full control over part wall thickness, full control over fibre angles, including unidirectional in-the-load axis, low cycle times, and multiple material configurations.

Key benefits include extremely light, stiff components / assemblies. There are various options for assembly of filament wound components, including metallic or composite insert joints, adhesive bonding or metallic fasteners. As well as structural tubing components, the winder can fabricate type 3, type 4 and, type 5 filament wound high-pressure vessels for a number of applications, including high-pressure hydrogen fuel tanks, rocket propulsion systems, and gas storage.

Advanced in-house composite manufacturing process

CCP Gransden has a sophisticated aerospace-grade manufacturing facility that can deliver one of the UK’s widest selections of advanced composite manufacturing processes in-house. Zund Fabric cutter, Belotti 5 axis CNC, Flow Waterjet cutter, fully equipped paint room, specialist assembly line and precise Roamer Arm inspection support our main equipment.

For engineering and project management, we use the latest 3D Experience Platform (CATIA V6) and process simulation with full traceability and programmed Naveksa operations system. Operations have multiple accreditations, including ADS SC21 Bronze and AS9100. Driving all our projects are a reliable and committed operations team with a demonstrated history of high-quality workmanship.

About CCP Gransden

Our vision is to be globally renowned as a partner for the design and manufacture of innovative advanced composites.

CCP Gransden recognises that each of our clients is unique and that their individual needs and challenges require a flexible and dynamic approach. To meet and exceed the varied and challenging requirements of our multi-sector clients, we invest in the latest advanced technologies. Substantial in-house capability is combined with experienced operators and a skilled engineering team, ensuring we can reliably support exclusive projects right through from concept to commercialisation. This expertise in the growing field of advanced composites combined with a proven track record has gained CCP Gransden a respected market position.

CCP Gransden is actively engaged with a range of high-value manufacturing research centres and plays a leading role in a range of exclusive research and development projects within these centres. The company has a long and successful history of participating in UK Government and EU funded projects and is a proactive member of ADS (the UK aerospace, defence, security, and space trade organisation), as well as Composites UK.

Following a collaboration with Thales, CCP Gransden is currently manufacturing sophisticated next-generation Thales Starstreak canisters and optical casings. Among other projects, CCP Gransden is a core member of the Project Tucana consortium, which has recently received over £35m from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (UK Government venture) to develop lightweight automotive body structures, which will be employed in future Jaguar Land Rover electric vehicles.

Seeking economical weight savings, extra strength, or other specialist capabilities? CCP Gransden will provide advanced composite performance improvements.