ROBOT-BASED THERMOPLASTIC FIBER PLACEMENT PROCESS

The excellent specific stiffness and strength of carbon fibre reinforc ed composites make them especially interesting for applications in rot ating machines. Unfortunately, these materials have the disadvantage t hat their manufacturing process is labour-intensive, and thus slow and expensive. This drawback is overcome by the highly automated thermopl astic fibre placement process, in which impregnated thermoplastic tape is heated and then consolidated in situ under pressure. ABB has imple mented the process in the laboratory with a six-axis robotic system an d is using it to develop new components for turbomachinery. The proces s is also of interest for applications in the aircraft and automotive industries.