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Conbility (Aachen, Germany) has successfully delivered its modular Pre-Pro 3D automated tape placement and applicator machine to Bilsing Automation (Attendorn, Germany) in Turkey (see also, “Bilsing expands aerospace composites capabilities with 3D tape laying equipment”). 

The system is multifunctional, accomplishing laser-assisted thermoplastic tape winding (LATW) and placement, and IR-assisted thermoset prepreg winding and placement including the unwinding of backing paper. Pre-Pro 3D’s processing head is available as a modular tool with a decentral control system and HMI (including closed-loop control of energy input into the processing zone), which enables a “plug-in” implementation in existing robot systems or machine systems through standard interfaces. Conbility provides the single applicator, as well as turnkey manufacturing cells including the robot system, handling systems, winding axis and a laser-safe cabinet.

A customized laser-safe machine system (right) for laser-assisted tape placement with in-situ consolidation is also provided, and can be integrated into existing thermoforming production lines or used for the production of tailored composite blanks for local stiffening of injection-molded parts.

“We are pleased that the Conbility System has been put into operation in our production. This will greatly improve our ability to manufacture composite structures, particularly in the automotive industries,” says Salih Ersungur, Bilsing Automation. “Thanks to years of experience and the use of high flexibility that Conbility has shown, we have implemented a unique multi-flexible system and we look forward to strengthening our cooperation with Conbility in the future.”

Conbility offers a range of engineering services from composite part development, development and setup of production lines for series production, evaluation of production scenarios and cost analyses as well as the production of prototype parts. Conbility’s machine systems are available for tests, trials and job shop manufacturing at the company’s technical center in Herzogenrath, Germany.