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Automated fiber placement (AFP) machine supplier Coriolis Composites (Quéven, France) launches the C3 dockable AFP head — available in 16 × ½" or ¼’" — which is compatible with robots or gantry systems. This latest product range extension builds upon the company’s experience with machines currently producing flying parts for commercial, space and defense. 

Coriolis’ AFP solutions are capable of addressing all part types, from complex geometries (with the C1.2 range) to large components (with the C3 and C5 ranges), with a high level of industrialization. The C3 head takes from technologies used on these existing systems. Designed for long-term use, it is qualified for both current and next-generation aerostructures for a wide range of composite part like fuselage sections, wing spars and wing skins, pressure bulkheads and many others.

For example, the C3’s feeding/clamping and cutting unit is coming from the C1.2 machine, with a 0.5' material tow width. The dockable head — quick coupling technology to ensure fast and reliable head changes for flexible manufacturing to maximize machine availability — has already been validated on Csolo and C5. Similarly, C3’s AFP “nose” with cutting module has been validated on the C1.2 and C5. The AFP nose incorporates a robust cutting module, capable of 100,000 cuts per blade. It supports both adding and cutting fiber at a speed of up to 1 m/s by respecting the aerospace accuracy requirements.

The C3 is compatible with Coriolis’ online automatic inspection system (AIS). Its ergonomic design is designed for operator comfort and efficiency, offering frontal access to all components so that maintenance and cleaning operations can be performed without any tools (Level 1 and 2). This intuitive and user-friendly design minimizes downtime and ensures a faster learning for new operators. Additionally, it features a motorized module for backing film. The re-winding design provides consistent backing film management and includes a backing film detection device to guarantee part integrity and enable rapid operator intervention. While providing accurate pressure control of the dancing arm for fiber tension, the C3 head also gives users direct measurements as close as possible to the layup, enabling precise compaction control.

Coriolis offers expertise in both low-rail and high-rail gantry systems, providing a comprehensive solution for diverse applications.