Auburn University has expanded its advanced manufacturing capabilities with the purchase of a CF3D Enterprise Cell from Continuous Composites.
The system has been installed at the Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus, strengthening the facility's role within the region's 'fast-growing hypersonic development ecosystem.'
CF3D Enterprise and the CF3D Studio software, the university believes, will enable the manufacture of high-performance continuous-fibre composite structures in support of research programs focused on the biggest challenges in aerospace and defence.
Located on a nine-acre site in Cummings Research Park and minutes from Redstone Arsenal's Gate 9, the Huntsville campus is situated in close proximity to defence primes, aerospace partners, and organisations driving national-priority programs. The facility houses the Auburn University Applied Research Institute and includes configurable laboratories, modelling and simulation environments, secure research areas, and dedicated workspaces for interns and graduate researchers. It serves as Huntsville's primary connection to the university's research programs and technical capabilities.
Auburn's Huntsville team is set to use the CF3D Enterprise as both a 'research tool and a strategic capability.' Its integration aligns with the area's growing focus on hypersonics, where advanced composite architectures are considered essential for thermal performance and structural efficiency. The system also strengthens Auburn's collaboration with Continuous Composites on hypersonic initiatives and supports the university's engagement with government, industry, and defence partners.
"Huntsville continues to be the gravitational centre of hypersonic development in the United States, and Auburn is investing where it matters," said Steve Starner, CEO of Continuous Composites. "The addition of a CF3D Enterprise cell gives Auburn and its partners a modern composite manufacturing capability and a toolset to explore structural concepts that were previously out of reach."
"Auburn's presence in Huntsville places us in the centre of national-priority programs," added Luke Boyer, Ph.D., Lead Principal Research Engineer and Advanced Manufacturing Team Lead. "Integrating CF3D into our capabilities expands our support for hypersonic development and gives partners the ability to study structural concepts grounded in real manufacturing data."
