Laminator hastens long composite wind part production.
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Press Release Summary:
Flat Charge Laminator is used for automated lay-up of composite spars, beams, stringers, and similar parts for wind-blade manufacture. With 4 servo-controlled dispensing heads dedicated to 4 different materials, repeatable system produces constant- or variable-thickness laminates on segmented vacuum table and compacts layers with force of 30-300 lb. System nominally handles 0/90 prepreg fabric, ±45 prepreg fabric, and unidirectional tape, with foil/film handling available optionally.
Original Press Release:
New Flat Charge Laminator is "Flat-Out" Fast in Producing Long Composite Wind Parts
Ideal for long flat parts, multi-head wind-blade machine lays down prepreg unidirectional tape, prepreg woven fabric and film/foil to produce a single variable-thickness laminate.
The new Flat Charge Laminator (FCL) from MAG Industrial Automation Systems is ideal for automated, high-production lay-up of composite spars, beams, stringers and similar parts for wind-blade manufacture. The highly repeatable system drastically reduces labor, while improving part quality, productivity and consistency. With four heads dedicated to four different materials, the servo-controlled machine produces constant- or variable-thickness laminates on a segmented vacuum table, compacting the layers with a force of 13.6 to 136 kg (30-300 pounds). The FCL handles 0/90 prepreg fabric, +/- 45 prepreg fabric, unidirectional tape and, as an option, foil or film. Maximum material width is 300 mm (12 inches) on rolls up to 635 mm (25 inches) diameter and weighing up to (150 pounds).
The machine features four servo-controlled dispensing heads on a placement carriage that moves on rails integrated with the vacuum bed. The servo-powered placement carriage is driven by rack-and-pinion system.
A Siemens PLC precisely controls the entire process, with speed and position feedback from rotary and linear encoders on dispensing heads and placement carriage. The servo-driven supply reels are protected with a magnetic clutch override, and the backing paper take-up system is torque controlled. A stylus cutter cuts prepreg at 90 degrees, without cutting the backing paper. The minimum course length is 300 mm (12 inches), and multiple short courses can be put down on the same ply.
Options include hot-air heating, tape flaw detection, foil/film feeder, edge tracking, CATIA software interface, and a semiautomatic load/unload turret for the heads.
About MAG
MAG is a leading machine tool and systems company serving the durable-goods industry worldwide with complete manufacturing solutions. The company offers a comprehensive line of equipment and technologies including process development, automated assembly, turning, milling, automotive powertrain production, composites processing, maintenance, automation and controls, and core components. Key industrial markets served by these technologies include aerospace, automotive and truck, heavy equipment, oil and gas, rail, solar energy, wind turbine production and general machining.
With manufacturing and support operations strategically located worldwide, MAG ranks as a leader in the capital equipment market. A growing number of leading international companies are relying on the impressive innovation power of MAG to assure their technological leadership and prepare for future challenges.
For more information about MAG, please visit: www.mag-ias.com
