COBRA INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASES ITS DIVERSIFIED RANGE AND CAPABILITIES AT JEC WORLD AND ANNOUNCES EXPANSION IN TECHNOLOGY FOR AUTOMOTIVE AND AEROSPACE
28th February 2019
With significant experience in the Water Sports, Transportation, Marine and Luxury sectors, COBRA is excited to conclude it’s fortieth anniversary celebrations by sharing news of further investment in new technology to bring its composites leadership to an even wider global customer base, specifically Automotive and Aerospace.
In addition, the company will highlight its growing Design and Development team by displaying a diverse range of strong, light and beautiful composite products ranging from an Aircraft Tractor to an Electric Foiling Board on their booth at JEC World 2019 (Hall 6 Booth E28).
Investing for expanding Automotive and Aerospace business
Although perhaps best known for its heritage in Water Sports, COBRA has a longstanding relationship with the Automotive industry. CAC, the company’s Automotive business unit has established itself as a crucial partner to many world- class premium automotive and motorcycle manufacturers in Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK.
Following a period of rapid expansion that includes the completion of ISO9001:2008 and ISO/TS 16949:2009 certification, the company has now invested in technology to support the growing complexity of parts and a rapidly-expanding customer base.
A new large-scale autoclave, the fourth at the company’s 100,000m2 Thailand plant, has been installed, capable of curing prepreg parts up to 5m x 2.5. It will initially be used for Automotive parts but is also ideal for large components in the Aerospace and other sectors.
“It’s an exciting time for COBRA and CAC,” says Danu Chotikapanich, CEO of COBRA International. “We have more to offer customers who want high quality and high performing composite parts and we now have the capability to bring our expertise to the production of larger parts such as Aircraft interiors and drones.”
Design & Development team offers a 360˚ service
New projects are supported by COBRA’s dedicated Design & Development team, comprising industrial and product designers, as well as composite and mechanical engineers, who will all be on hand at JEC World to discuss how they can support customers through the initial product design phase, as well as develop prototypes and set up for successful series production.
Recent COBRA projects on display at JEC World include:
- Neo Contour Carbon Chaise – a prototype of a modern take on a traditional chaise seat that was built in conjunction with Sutherland Furniture. Combining a full carbon structure with a waterproof textile net also made by COBRA.
- Electric Foiling Surfboard – reaching 40kph the Fliteboard is made of a carbon/Innegra/EPS sandwich laminate, with COBRA involved in design and engineering, prototyping and now series production of the board, foils and accessories.
- Aircraft Tractor GSE – the first composite cab for an Aircraft Tractor, a ground support vehicle manufactured for a customer in Asia by COBRA Composite Structures to pull Aircrafts on the ground. The part fulfils the brief of low maintenance parts with lower operating loads and standardized assembly processes.
- Various supercar components - including carbon exterior and interior parts such as spoilers, rear wings, diffusers and mirror housings for a number of new premium German models, as well as examples of carbon motorbike fairings and suspension arms.
