JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #62 - January/February 2011 - 33

robotic

Robotic unit for the automated production of composite components
At the October 21st opening ceremony of the CFK Nord composites research centre in Stade Göppingen, Germany, the spotlight was on GroFI, a robotic composite processing system. GroFI is a joint development of DLR and MAG.

Successful partners

An impressive example of this kind of cooperation was on display at the grand opening of the CFK Nord research centre in Stade, contributed by DLR and MAG. At the Stade research centre, both industry and science will have the opportunity to develop and apply new technologies on an industrial scale, precisely tuned

About MAG / DLR

MAG is a leading machine tool and systems company serving the durable goods industry worldwide with complete manufacturing solutions. With a strong foundation based on renowned brands such as Cincinnati, Cross Hüller, Fadal, Giddings & Lewis, Hüller Hille, Witzig & Frank, Hessapp, Ex-Cell-O, Honsberg and Boehringer, MAG is recognized as a provider of tailored production solutions based on state-of-the-art technology. DLR is Germany's national research centre for aeronautics and space. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, transportation and energy is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. As Germany's Space Agency, the German federal government has given DLR responsibility for the forward planning and implementation of the German space programme as well as international representation of Germany's interests.

No62 January - February 2011 / jec composites magazine
DR. CHRISTIAN BOGE, VICE PRESIDENT COMPOSITES FOR MAG IN EUROPE

”

he advantages of composite materials – based on carbon fibre, glass fibre or other – are widely discussed these days. Whether lightweight construction will be restricted to just a few applications, or mature to real productivity in terms of manufacturing composite components for cars, aircraft or wind turbine blades will depend on intelligent automation concepts. Application engineers

GroFI is the name for the robot-based joint development by DLR and MAG, an innovative system for composite part manufacturing.

face any number of challenges as a function of the end product. Science and industry are currently cooperating in many different ways to solve them.

to the requirements of the industries served.

Robot solution for composites
The team of DLR and MAG experts were the first to present a manufacturing technology project on site. Their highly flexible composite processing system “GroFI” is based on independent robotic units for the automated production of composite components. Different technologies can be applied to the robots, especially fibre placement and tape laying. The main challenge for the project partners was to combine the cost and flexibility advantages of a robot solution with the quality and productivity rates of dedicated tape laying and fibre placement systems. Among the key enabling factors were the use of the latest measuring technology and an intelligent guiding and material handling system. MAG's proven software also contributed significantly to solve programming, simulation, and process control problems. n
More information: www.mag-ias.com

”

Together with DLR, we were able to design an innovative manufacturing solution for carbon composite components. The robots are able to perform a variety of tasks and functions providing for highest productivity

http://www.mag-ias.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #62 - January/February 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #62 - January/February 2011