JEC Europe News for MAG Booth No. V56, Hall 1 Aeronautics Village
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MAG to present composites industry "firsts" at JEC
At JEC Europe, the MAG exhibit will feature "first-in-composites" technology, including the GEMINI(TM) dockable head system that switches from automated fiber placement to automated tape laying in minutes, and the first automated FPS for wind spar production.
MAG will present the latest in composites technology at the JEC Europe Composites Show, including the new GEMINI(TM) composite processing system - the first with a docking head that allows it to switch from automated fiber placement to automated tape laying in minutes. Another "first" presented at the show is the VIPER® 7000 gantry fiber placement system (FPS), the first automated FPS for wind spar production. These and other composites technologies will be featured in the MAG booth (V56) in Hall 1 of the Aeronautics Village at JEC, March 27-29, 2012 in Paris.
The GEMINI system utilizes MAG's industry-leading VIPER automated fiber placement (AFP) head, and either the MAG CHARGER(TM) or Forest Liné ATLAS automated tape laying (ATL) heads. Head docking cradles outside the work zone allow efficient offline setup or maintenance of heads while the machine continues to produce parts. "This system allows aerospace composite part suppliers to add tape laying capability on a fiber placement machine or vice versa, saving millions on machinery, plant infrastructure, labor and training otherwise needed for two machines," said Randy Kappesser, Vice President MAG Composites. The GEMINI also makes it possible for fabricators to consider combining composite tape and fiber in the same part.
The VIPER 7000 gantry fiber placement system builds on MAG's wide range of modular product platforms and brings the advantages of unlimited part length and multiple work zones to supersize wind energy parts like blade shells, spars, spar caps, and shear webs. It is also ideal for large aerospace parts like stabilizer skins and wing skins. The system automatically adjusts the fiber band width to produce wrinkle-free parts while placing material on complex contours and around openings (doors, hatches, etc.). Like the GEMINI system, the VIPER 7000 accommodates both fixed floor-mounted or rotation tooling in either Outer Mold Line (OML) or Inner Mold Line (IML) configurations.
Other features of the MAG exhibit at JEC include the new Robotic VIPER fiber placement system, ACES® software and simulation tool, and a new in-process inspection (IPI) feature on the ATLAS tape laying heads. The modular Robotic VIPER system marries MAG's newest fiber placement technology with a commercially available robot platform in gantry or articulating arm configurations. Advanced capabilities of this system include bidirectional lay-down for high process efficiency and availability as a complete modular small-part factory with stations for tool prep, fiber placement and bagging, including an optional clean room.
The ACES software and simulation tool allows complete pre-production process evaluation, determination of process limits, material requirements and production rates. Feedback on part producibility and process productivity, as well as output of the part program for the VIPER, are also provided. ACES is compatible with CATIA V4 and V5, and runs on a Windows® PC.
The Forest Liné ATLAS tape head dispenses pre-cut rolls of material, as well as bulk rolls of material 150 or 300 mm (6 or 12 in) wide. It allows a part to be laid using pre-cut rolls and bulk rolls of material. The new in-process inspection (IPI) of lap and gap on the ATLAS guarantees 100 percent automatic tape laying process.
MAG pioneered automated composites processing for building aerostructures, and its systems are widely used in major worldwide aircraft programs, with over 130 installations globally, nearly 40% of them in Europe and Asia. Recent additions to MAG's global composite processing installed base include a VIPER 1200 installed in Russia and sale of the company's first tape layer to China. MAG acquired Forest Liné in 2011.
About MAG
MAG is a leading machine tool and systems company serving the durable goods industry worldwide with complete manufacturing solutions for metal cutting and composites applications. With a strong foundation based upon renowned brands such as Boehringer, Cincinnati, Cross & Trecker, Ex-Cell-O, Fadal, Forest Liné, Giddings & Lewis, Hessapp, Honsberg, Hüller Hille, Lamb, Modul and Witzig & Frank, MAG is recognized as the preeminent provider of tailored production solutions based on state-of-the-art technology. Key industrial markets served 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 offers comprehensive lines of equipment and technologies including turning, milling, hobbing, grinding, honing, systems integration, composites processing, maintenance, automation and software, tooling and fluids, and core components.
For more information about MAG, please visit: www.mag-ias.com
Bridget Grady Spears
MAG IAS, LLC
859 534 4537
bridget.spears@mag-ias.com
