Composite parts ยท in partnership with FAR Composite

Lightweight composite parts, designed and made in the UK

Green Crane works with structural composites specialist FAR Composite to take your part from concept to series production. Pair it with precision metal parts from our China partners, and buy the whole assembly from one team.

ISO 9001Certified quality management at our composites partner
3 JEC AwardsWon by FAR Composite in 13 years of composites innovation
Chartered engineersUK engineering oversight on every project
2 working daysOur reply time to every enquiry

Why composites

Composite and multi-material structures cut weight while keeping strength and stiffness. We design them for practical, affordable manufacture, so they make sense at production volumes, not only as prototypes.

Lighter structures

Simulation-led design removes weight from the part without losing the strength it needs.

Corrosion resistance

Composite parts do not rust, which suits outdoor, transport and harsh industrial use.

Multi-material design

We combine composites with metals, joined chemically, electrically or mechanically, where each material works best.

Less waste

Automotive production practice keeps material and process costs down.

The right process for your volume

From one-off prototypes to series production, we choose the process that gives you the best part cost at your volume.

SMC billet ready for press moulding
SMC billet ready for moulding
Composite mould tool
Composite mould tooling
Robotic cutting of composite material
Robotic cutting

Lower volumes

Low-pressure RTM

Resin transfer moulding with low-cost tooling, cost-effective for smaller batches.

Higher volumes

Sheet moulding compound (SMC)

Short cycle times for repeat production runs.

Higher volumes

HiLiTe process

FAR Composite’s own process for lightweight parts at production scale.

Steel alternative

MMB process

The flexibility of steel fabrication, with the weight saving and corrosion resistance of composites.

Mass manufacture

Press moulding

High-rate production with 90-second takt times.

Energy efficient

Out-of-autoclave methods

Composite curing without an autoclave, using less energy. Composite tooling supplied too.

From concept to series production

A flexible framework, not a fixed contract. Join at any stage and use only the steps you need.

  1. 01

    Technology and materials

    Select fibres, resins, cores and processes, with early viability tests.

  2. 02

    Concept parts

    Small batches to test geometry, layup and structural behaviour.

  3. 03

    Optimised design

    Generative design and topology optimisation to cut weight.

  4. 04

    Engineering prototypes

    Production-intent parts checked for integrity, assembly and compliance.

  5. 05

    Production prototypes

    Near-final tooling to confirm cycle times and repeatability.

  6. 06

    Commission production

    Install and validate equipment, tooling and training.

  7. 07

    Series production

    Full-rate production with quality control and engineering support.

Automated pick-and-place of composite parts
Automated pick-and-place
Automated adhesive placement for joining parts
Automated adhesive placement

Composites and metal, from one team

Most products need more than composite parts. Green Crane also supplies precision CNC-machined and fabricated metal parts from vetted partner factories in China. That means one supplier, one contract and one point of contact for the whole assembly.

HiLite composite bonnet reinforcement
HiLite bonnet reinforcement
  • UK-designed and UK-made composite parts
  • Precision metal parts made by our China partners
  • Inspection before every shipment
  • UK contract and protection for your designs

Sectors we serve

  • Automotive and EV
  • Bus and truck
  • Rail
  • Aerospace
  • Space and satellites
  • Industrial equipment
  • Clean-tech and air quality
Rail carriage
Lightweight structures for rail and transport

Composite design and manufacture are delivered in partnership with FAR Composite.

Tell us about your part

Send a drawing, a CAD model or just the problem you need to solve to info@greencrane.co.uk, or call +44 (0) 800 634 8258. A chartered engineer will reply within 2 working days.