ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ

Conbility GmbH (Aachen, Germany), a provider of composite production machinery, has recently delivered and installed a turnkey laser-safe winding and placement cell at (FIBRE Bremen, Germany). FIBRE Bremen is an institute that researches and develops the sustainable use of fibers and fiber-reinforced polymers through tailor-made materials, lightweight design and resource-efficient production.

The delivered machine system comprises Conbility’s modular and robust tape processing applicator on a KUKA (Augsburg, Germany) robot, a Conbility winding axis, as well as a placement table surrounded by a certified laser safety cell. The system will support the institute’s R&D efforts in laser-assisted thermoplastic tape winding (LATW) and tape placement with in situ consolidation for high-performance fiber-reinforced thermoplastic materials.

Conbility notes that, in its efforts to address winding and placement technologies for both thermoplastic and thermoset composites, the delivered cell to FIBRE Bremen is compatible for a later thermoset upgrade for dry fiber or thermoset prepreg processing, including the unwinding of backing paper.

“The installation of this winding and placement system represents a step forward in our proven track record to conduct high-end R&D projects for aerospace applications,” says Dr. Schiebel, head of manufacturing technologies at FIBRE Bremen. "With Conbility’s technology, we are now fully equipped to explore and optimize laser-assisted thermoplastic composite processing, offering innovative solutions for lightweight and high-performance structural components. The L-AFP system complements our Airbus-endowed professorship in thermoplastic welding."

Conbility is a technology partner with distinguished expertise in composites production and product development. Besides providing machine systems, Conbility provides support for composite part development as well as for part production including the manufacture of prototype parts in its own machinery park in Herzogenrath.