AUTOMATION

Aerospace

Plant tour: Middle River Aerostructure Systems, Baltimore, Md., U.S.

The historic Martin Aircraft factory is advancing digitized automation for more sustainable production of composite aerostructures.

Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Mass Transit

Bio-inspired EV underbody panel developed by TPI Composites, Helicoid Industries

Composite underbody panel for battery pack protection, made of stacked multiaxial noncrimp fabric, will serve high-volume commercial and automotive markets.

Plataine releases updated version of AI-based scheduler program

The latest version of Plataine’s Production Scheduler Solution considers relevant elements when generating optimized manufacturing schedules, including human capacity, tool availability and autoclave optimization.

Machining/Drilling

Loop Technology robotic machining system works with harder materials

The RoboMach HA is a high-accuracy robotic machining system that can work with a range of materials, including cured composites.

RTM

JEC World 2023 preview: Biontec

Biontec assists customers with their products from the initial idea to series production with bionic fiber placement complemented by resin transfer molding.

JEC World 2023 preview: Loop Technology

The Loop Technology team will be at JEC World 2023, able to answer questions about industrial automation, robotics and the company’s composite automation product range.

Energy Storage

Airborne, Accudyne partner to provide automated composites solutions worldwide

The two companies have signed an MOA to collaborate on further development of digital automation systems for composites manufacturing in aerospace, renewable energy, future mobility and more.

Composites end markets: Industrial (2023)

Corrosion resistance, durability and vibration damping enable composites adoption in a range of industrial manufacture and repair applications, from pipes and tanks to high-performance automation components.

Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Cutting/Kitting

JEC World 2023 preview: Techni-Modul Engineering

Smart Control automated technology enables high-rate, AI-driven kitting, stacking and layup of preforms and composite parts.

Design/Simulation

JEC World 2023 preview: CGTech

Advanced programming and simulation for the production of composite parts will be highlighted through CGTech’s Vericut software products, including VCP, VCS and Vericut.

Cutting/Kitting

JEC World 2023 preview: Eastman Machine Co.

Stop by Eastman Machine’s booth to see firsthand full-scale automation in conjunction with the Eagle C135 conveyorized cutting system.

Marine

Aeler smart composite containers enter Portuguese market

Navex, part of Grupo ETE, will be representing Aeler in the Portuguese and Cape Verde markets to bring the innovation to the maritime sector.

Aerospace

Loop Technology develops robotic arm for wing box inspection

Part of an R&D project with Spirit AeroSystems, the seven-axis Bravura robotic arm automates inspection and sealing within small spaces like aircraft wing boxes.

Energy Storage

Siemens Gamesa, Airborne develop automatic preforming robot system for offshore wind blades

Danish-funded ALMA project furthers collaboration, adds new functionality, advanced sensor systems and digital twinning for reduced man-hours, waste and cost per blade.

Design/Simulation

ASCEND program update: Designing next-gen, high-rate auto and aerospace composites

GKN Aerospace, McLaren Automotive and U.K.-based partners share goals and progress aiming at high-rate, Industry 4.0-enabled, sustainable materials and processes.

Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Fabrics/Preforms

Plastics Unlimited completes facility expansion

A 30,000-square-foot expansion to the Preston, Iowa, facility adds assembly and warehouse space, thermoforming and composites manufacturing equipment and robots.

JEC World 2023 preview: Dieffenbacher

The machine manufacturer highlights materials, process and automation solutions aimed at intelligent manufacturing for e-mobility applications.

Filament Winding

JEC World 2023 preview: Roth Composite Machinery

Roth Composite Machinery is showing its new automation concept for reliable fiber changes as well as the company’s novel winding software.

Aerospace

Sikorsky hybrid-electric VTOL demonstrator to inform future missions

Long-range, autonomous HEX aircraft prototype featuring a composite airframe serves as evaluation of large VTOL aircraft design, novel propulsion systems and control architectures for military and commercial purposes.

JEC World 2023 preview: Jetcam International

Jetcam expands its reach geographically and on the shop floor with an exhibition of its exclusive nesting and automation software solutions.

Urban Air Mobility

Limosa taps Airborne composites expertise to build LimoConnect

Airborne’s capabilities will support airframe prototyping, automated production of the Limosa LimoConnect eVTOL + eCTOL aircraft from prototype through to serial production to help meet 2028 entry-into-service goals.

Marine

Large-format 3D printing enables toolless, rapid production for AUVs

Dive Technologies started by 3D printing prototypes of its composite autonomous underwater vehicles, but AM became the solution for customizable, toolless production.

Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Mass Transit

JEC World 2023 preview: Engel

Engel’s organomelt process as a single integrated production cell for thermoplastic composite production demonstrates high production efficiency and low unit cost for aerospace and automotive.

Wind/Energy

Rope Robotics automates onshore wind turbine blade repairs

Patented robot uses visual sensors to diagnose any potential damage for remote operators, and initiates a repair process in real time that is four times faster than manual alternatives.

Thermoplastics

Autoneum future-proofs GFRTP production with Evoris digitalization platform

Extensive plant modernization includes new automation and digitalization solutions procured from Dieffenbacher.

Wind/Energy

Aerones unveils modular robot for Level 1-3 wind turbine maintenance, repair

Resilient, full-service system can perform a variety of tasks five times faster and more safely than human technicians, while proactively addressing extreme erosion progression.

Siemens, Deloitte demonstrate Industry 4.0 innovation at The Smart Factory @ Wichita

New dedicated space enables companies to experience the future of smart manufacturing and the power of digitalization using the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio.

Consumer

Babyark launches smart, composites-intensive car seat

Impact-absorbing car seat approaches safety holistically with carbon fiber and D3O materials and embedded sensors for real-time monitoring.

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