The democratization of composites is reconfiguring supply chains compositesworld.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from compositesworld.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Bilsing Automation has invested in a Conbility system for creating composite components using AFP and ATL technology. Photo Credit: Bilsing Automation GmbH
Expanding its footprint in the aerospace industry, Bilsing Automation GmbH (Attendorn, Germany) announced on Feb. 11 that it has invested in a Conbility Pre-Pro 3D automated tape placement and applicator machine for Advanced Fiber Placement (AFP) and Advanced Tape Laying (ATL) applications. As manufacturers strive to reduce aircraft weight through production of composite structures, Bilsing plans to use this new machine for producing interior parts including galley, seat and overhead bin components.
The Conbility PrePro system is capable of processing thermoplastic, thermoset and dry fiber placement and winding, including prepregs, with up to 50 millimeters of tape tension control. Bilsing says a notable feature of the equipment is its ability to directly produce complex, 3D preform structures as well as tubular components.