Loop Technology, a Dorchester-based company in the U.K., has recently presented its latest development in the form of an automated composite preforming system known as FibreLINE 2X1. This state-of-the-art system has been specifically designed to cater to the production requirements of smaller automotive and aerospace parts, including car components, train doors, and a variety of aircraft wing elements, such as fairings, ailerons, nacelles, cowlings, and wing tips.
In contrast to the company’s standard FibreLINE system, the FibreLINE 2X1 occupies a smaller cell and employs a single robot with an automatic toolchanger to oversee the entire preforming process. This encompasses material deposition, cutting, shaping, tacking, and consolidation. The system is capable of laying up on to a 2 × 1-metre tool and is customizable to meet the specific needs of end users. It has been reported to offer improved production rates compared to traditional methods such as Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) and other conventional techniques.
A noteworthy aspect of the FibreLINE 2X1 system is its impressive material deposition rates of 200 kg/hr. This, coupled with its millimetric precision and repeatability in measuring, cutting, shaping, and placing material, renders it a highly effective and dependable tool for composite preforming. Moreover, the system is designed to handle large carbon fiber plies without causing damage, thus ensuring the integrity of the materials used in the manufacturing process.
The introduction of the FibreLINE 2X1 signifies a significant advancement in the realm of composite preforming technology, particularly for the fabrication of smaller-scale components. With its improved productivity and precision, Loop Technology is well-positioned to satisfy the rising demand for high-quality composite parts within the automotive and aerospace industries.
Sources:
Loop Technology
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