Technical Composite Systems
COMPETENCE, COLLABORATION, COMMITMENT
Technical Composite Systems Ltd (TCS) offers the complete composite material manufacturing solution for high quality composite components.
We supply a diverse range of industries by combining our engineering experience and material expertise with a customer focused culture. Our modern, spacious manufacturing facility, located in South West UK, provides flexible manufacturing solutions to meet the technical and commercial needs of our diverse portfolio of products.
Our Team has a significant industrial and technical experience and collectively they apply this to daily production and our R&D activities. Our collective standing in the industry is also reflected by our presence on industrial advisory panels/committees and our contribution to local STEM/STEAM events.
About Us
Please select one of the following for more information…
Our Location
Our People
Our Principles
Our Services
Design & Engineering
Our AS9100 scope includes “design of composite components and tooling”.
Our staff are experienced in all stages of the project lifecycle. We integrate our quality management system at the earliest opportunity to define and capture the critical quality aspects.
Tooling
Tooling defines the accuracy and quality of manufactured components.
We specify and design our tooling to meet all project requirements – often when technical and commercial requirements are in competition with one another.
Prototyping
New ideas and concepts frequently require low volume prototype items to validate geometries, material selection, component integration (or all three!).
We are experienced at integrating these requirements in the project lifecycle and support the iterative development process that is frequently required.
Manufacture & Validation
Autoclave, Compression moulding – pre-preg materials, SMC and DMC.
Resin Transfer and vacuum infusion.
Honeycomb – panel pressing and profile machining.
Foam – machining and thermoforming.
Composite machining – 5-axis simultaneous and conventional machining
CMM Inspection – full surface geometry vs CAD
Innovation
Our team has extensive experience in research and development programs across a variety of platforms such as EPSRC, TSB, Innovate UK, NATEP and KTP.
Working at all Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) from fundamental science to collaborative industrial projects we apply the same core approach.
Our Industry Networks
TCS certified to Aerospace quality management system AS9100 standards
Member company of the UK Composite trade association
Member company of UK trade association representing the high-tech, aerospace, defence, security and space markets.
Certified supplier to Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register.
Active member of NCC research and SME programs.
Member company of ConeX portal to promote and strengthen UK Manufacturing.
Our Videos
About
TCS
About the
CSS Group
NATEP
Webinar with TCS
Composite Aerospace Antennas
New Composite
Materials
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Hear about our new videos as they are released.
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Our Location
Our Brand new, purpose built 60,000 sqft manufacturing facility is shared with our partner companies and located in Beautiful Devon, South West UK.
We are 25 and 30 miles from Exeter and Plymouth mainline train stations respectively.
WHAT3WORDS
Please see our company video for further details on our facility.
Our People
Mike Sloan
Company Director
Mike is a founding director of Technical Composite Systems, integral to all business operations and accountable for all outputs.
An experienced materials engineer and manager, Mike provides both technical and managerial resource to the business and still retains a key involvement in materials processing and optimisation.
Ricky Lintott
Composite Technician
Ricky joined TCS in 2020 and is working through his composite qualification with South Devon College while providing manufacturing support and training of others at TCS.
Dan Heaton
Composite Engineer
Dan is an experienced composite engineer with over two decades of experience in tooling and manufacture of composite components across all industries from Formula 1 to top level marine boat racing to aerospace mouldings and assemblies.
Giorgia Cornish
Composite Apprentice
Giorgia joined TCS in autumn 2023 after a successful summer work experience placement and is enrolled on a degree apprentice program to support her practical learning and training at TCS.
Our Principles
Competence
Combining knowledge, understanding, skills and values.
It’s about more than just being able to perform a specific task; it’s being able to do it correctly, safely, effectively, and consistently.
Collaboration
We deliver solutions by working as a team.
Communication, transparency and integrity define our internal conduct and our relationships with all customers, partners and shareholders.
Commitment
We are a dedicated, committed team and accountable for our operations and responsibilities at all levels.
Most importantly we are interested, enthusiastic and passionate about what we do.
Business Aims
The principal aims of technical composite systems are;
- To supply high quality composite components that meet or exceed our customer’s requirements.
- To define and deliver a competence-based manufacturing methodology for all tooling and composite components.
- To employ modern business practices that support and encourage an agile, swift response to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
- To implement our business principles and values so that we grow through perpetual investment in quality people and technology.
- To collaborate with our customers and forge partnerships based on trust and mutual respect.
Design and Engineering
Our AS9100 scope includes “design of composite components and tooling”.
Our staff are experienced in all stages of the project lifecycle. We integrate our quality management system at the earliest opportunity to define and capture the critical quality aspects.
We are pleased to provide a build to print service or offer a more comprehensive collaboration from the fundamental design stage.
Design concepts and ideas often start with hand sketches and progress through our CAD software into full 3D structured designs and assemblies.
All design activities follow our prescribed AS9100 procedures and are shared with all stakeholders.
- CAD Software – yes Solidworks premium
- CAM Software – NCG CAM VISI CAD/CAM
Tooling
Tooling defines the accuracy and quality of manufactured components. A good tool won’t guarantee success but is the essential foundation for a robust process.
We specify and design our tooling to meet all project requirements – often when technical and commercial requirements are in competition with one another. By working with our customers and having an open, honest dialogue, our staff provide tooling solutions for mould tools, assembly jigs, ICY fixtures across both prototype and volume scenarios.
TCS manufacturers:
- Epoxy tooling board patterns
- Carbon pre-preg tooling
- Epoxy tooling board prototype tools
- Aluminium mould tools
- Bonding/Assembly fixtures
Prototyping
New ideas and concepts frequently require low volume prototype items to validate geometries, material selection, component integration (or all three!).
We are experienced at integrating these requirements in the project lifecycle and support the iterative development process that is frequently required.
Manufacture & Validation
Manufacture Advanced Composites
- Autoclave – pre-preg materials, monolithic and cored structures.
- Out of Autoclave – vacuum bag oven cure.
- Compression moulding – pre-preg materials, SMC and DMC.
- Resin Transfer and vacuum infusion.
- Honeycomb – panel pressing and profile machining.
- Foam – machining and thermoforming.
- Composite machining – 5-axis simultaneous and conventional machining
- CMM Inspection – full surface geometry vs CAD
Materials
- Carbon fibre, E Glass, S Glass, Dyneema, Kevlar
- Epoxy Resins, Cyanate Ester, Vinyl ester Resins.
- PEEK, PEI, PPS, PA, PP
- Nomex honeycomb, Aluminium honeycomb
- Rohacell PMI foams – IG, IGF, HF, WFHT, Triple F, – Airex R82, T10
Validation – Simulation, Physical Testing
Confidence in design choices (such as geometry and material selection) frequently require verification before production sign off.
Technical Composite Systems can offer solutions and support at all stages of the product lifecycle depending on requirements:
- Simulation – Computer models can be applied to predict the response of a structure to an applied stress/strain.
- Material analysis – Fundamental material analysis to quantify essential design parameters such as Modulus, strain at yield, Ultimate Strength, creep, fatigue, Glass Transition, thermal expansion, microstructure, non-destructive testing.
- Qualification – service prediction such as hot/wet test to MIL STD 810, fungal growth, environmental resistance.
Innovation
Our team has extensive experience in research and development programs across a variety of platforms such as EPSRC, TSB, Innovate UK, NATEP and KTP. Working at all Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) from fundamental science to collaborative industrial projects we apply the same core approach of:
- Attention to detail
- Accuracy
- Precision
- Results driven mentality
- Teamwork.
For Individual development programs, we work closely with customers and develop a statement of work to achieve specific, measured targets. Resources are then secured and scheduled aside from daily production requirements. As a team we are experienced to handle the demands from innovative and disruptive technologies yet small enough to respond quickly to changing circumstances.
The CSS Group Manufacturing Facility
Technical Composite Systems shares a manufacturing facility with our partner companies in the CSS Group.
About Technical Composite Systems
Director Mike Sloan introduces you to Technical Composite Systems and the Paignton manufacturing facility.
NATEP Webinar with Director Mike Sloan
TCS director Mike Sloan presenting at the NATEP webinar on the Composite Baseplates for Aerospace Antennas project.
Composite Aerospace Antennas – NATEP Innovation
TCS Director Mike Sloan talks about an 18 month R&D programme by TCS in the persuit of smaller, lighter aerospace antennas.
Developing a new materials
Developing a new material for use in technical composite engineering for aerospace.
Latest News from Technical Composite Systems Ltd
New TCS Website
Our new Technical Composite Systems website went live today. We designed the new website to be informative and concise so that you can quickly get to grips with what services we offer. Please...