Automated Dynamics Announced the Sale of Its State-of-the-Art Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) System


SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Automated Dynamics has announced the sale of its state-of-the-art Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) system to the Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT), Bethpage, NY. The Advanced Material and Manufacturing Technology Innovation Center (AMMTIC) is a division of LIFT and is where the new AFP equipment will be located. This research center will comprise 25,000 sq. ft. and is currently being renovated for occupancy in the fall of 2013.



The AFP system includes a stand-alone, articulated arm robot with extended reach capability from Kawasaki Robotics; integrated spindle system with 48 in. OD x 120 in. L work envelope; a 48 in. x 96 in. vacuum table; Automated Dynamics electronics control cabinet with operator station interface; tooling for cylindrical and flat laminate structures; proprietary FPM and FPS fully-integrated software for machine control and fiber path generation; and 3 versatile processing heads with integrated creel systems: a 4 x .250 in. wide tape thermoset AFP processing head with Independent Tape Control (ITC); a 1 x .250 - .50 in. wide tape thermoplastic AFP processing head and a 1 x 3.0 in. (75mm) wide thermoset ATL (Automated Tape Layer) processing head. All Automated Dynamics AFP and ATL processing heads, for both thermoset and thermoplastic composite materials, are interchangeable and designed specifically for the robot platform.



Automated Dynamics, a pioneer in automated fiber placement (AFP) technology, develops and manufactures a series of robot platforms and systems sized to serve small laboratories, larger research centers and complete composite parts production environments. The thermoset and thermoplastic material capable robotic workcells can be stationary (stand-alone) or movement enabled using a twin-rail, integrated track system. Automated Dynamics has sold nearly 100 AFP machines and systems in the past twenty years to customers in 17 countries.



The new AMMTIC center will be a resource for all NYS companies who are interested in entering the composites market. It will provide access to process technology, equipment and expertise to design and qualify aerospace and industrial structures using advanced composite materials. Companies that currently produce products using metals will have the ability to design with carbon fiber and fiberglass composites that use both thermoset (epoxy) and thermoplastic resin matrices.



"The use of composites will continue to grow as the demand for lighter weight and more fuel-efficient aircraft, automobiles and other forms of transport increases," said Phil Coniglio, AMMTIC Project Director.



"Our new AMMTIC center will feature the versatile Automated Dynamics AFP equipment and manufacturing technology for prototyping and fabricating simple and complex geometric structures, using a variety of advanced composite materials. We will work closely with Automated Dynamics' engineers and technical experts to design and produce the high performance parts and assemblies that our member-companies customers need," he said.



Rob Langone, President of Automated Dynamics said, "We are fortunate and honored to be chosen by and associated with such a well-known organization as LIFT on Long Island. We look forward to helping AMMTIC grow the use of composite parts and our automated fiber placement manufacturing technology with their members and other companies no matter what industry they serve."



About Automated Dynamics

Automated Dynamics manufactures advanced composite structures and high performance composite processing equipment. Through the development of innovative processes—automated fiber placement and automated tape laying—the company delivers strong, light-weight structures that solve complex problems for clients in the aerospace, automotive, defense, oil field, and other commercial/industrial markets. Automated Dynamics has produced tens of thousands of composite structures for clients around the world and has machines in 17 countries. For more information,  visit: www.automateddynamics.com.



About LIFT

The Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT) is a non-profit economic development organization working with the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). LIFT is NYSTAR's designated Regional Technology Development Center for Long Island and the region’s official MEP. Its role is far reaching, including helping members win government contracts and grants to grow their businesses; aligning companies with synergistic lines and missions; giving members access to critical business improvement and quality management systems across core areas; providing lean product design and development services, innovation engineering, feasibility studies, material analysis services and rapid prototyping; and offering industry-specific education forums. The LIFT Family of Companies reflects several major technology and related initiatives, including: the Applied Science Foundation for Homeland Security, the Rail Alliance, The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technology Innovation Center, DHS Mantech, Information Technology, Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition and Workforce Development. LIFT’s primary mission is to commercialize Long Island’s technology. For more information, visit: www.lift.org




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