Customer Spotlight Series: Curve Works
From high performance yachts to water taxis, Curve Works has her sights firmly on transforming the marine industry by offering composite solutions, making use of new production technologies. They leverage the Adaptive Mould, together with their specially designed infrastructure, to produce single and double-curved composite panels. They have also pioneered the use of 3D thermoformed core kits for the boat building industry, which replaces traditional core-laying methods.
Curve Works is both, a client and a partner to Adapa. Our association with them has been an insightful and productive experience for both our organizations. We posed some questions to François Geuskens, the Director of Curve Works, and following is what he had to say:
- In what ways has Curve Works enhanced its capability to deliver composite solutions for the marine industry, over the past year?
François: Curve Works makes 3D products in a way that no-one else can. Curve Works’ vision is ‘no-waste from tooling’ and we are particularly focused on products for which reusable tooling offers substantial commercial advantages. Examples of this are our 3D Core Kits, 3D Windscreens and our future composite panel assemblies.
- How has the combination of Adapa’s Adaptive Mould and Curve Works’ composites competencies, made it possible for you to deliver innovative and robust solutions for the marine industry?
François: The adaptive mould is a great piece of kit that is easily and quickly configured into new geometries. Furthermore, the Adaptive Mould allows us to reinvent processes since it offers the ability ‘to shape the panel’ which conventional tooling does not. This coupled with our expertise in composites, offers new possibilities to clients, in combination with the high-quality knowledge present at Curve Works.
- Could you share the names of a few projects that you have been associated with in this space?
François: We are really proud of some of the projects we have been involved with recently. This includes making the windscreens of the experimental Seabubbles water taxi, the 3D foam core kits which we supplied to help build the award-winning Rán Fast 40, and assisted the production strategy of the Concept AIA – a wood-composite façade panel.
- Do you think that the marine industry is ready for composite boats, even if its production is made more affordable and quicker?
François: Composites are actually broadly used in the marine industry but the highest volume is used in lower-tech high-volume pleasure craft. With our new production technology, which involves the Adaptive Mould, there is a great business case for composites applied to high-tech large custom built vessels. We are tackling the lead time and cost of these structures associated with large composite structures – after the technology has been implemented in the private yacht market, if production is more affordable and quicker, there is no reason why the rest of the marine industry should not follow.
- How do you see the future of the composite boat industry progressing, and what role do you envision Curve Works playing in that growth?
François: Curve Works’ innovations will disrupt the yacht building industry. You can watch the video below, to understand how we intend to do that.
How do I see the future? I think composites will replace metals more and more in merchant ships, pleasure crafts and naval vessels. Curve Works contribution in this will make a lot of impact and create another step-change in this transition.
- What are your plans for 2019?
François: We plan on expanding the 3D core kitting business this year. We are also going to be executing our first architectural project. In the background we will be making a significant step towards composite panel assemblies for yacht hulls. For sure, 2019 is going to be an exciting year for us!
Adapa shares Curve Works’ vision to deliver innovative composite solutions for the marine industry and we are proud to be associated with them. We are certain that this relationship will scale new heights in 2019.