Integration of industrial robotics with conventional and unconventional manufacturing processes leads the way to establish reconfigurable, cost-effective manufacturing systems enabling hybrid-manufacturing concepts.

• We utilize Robotic Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) for composite manufacturing, Industrial Robotic Additive Manufacturing and Machining and Abrasive Waterjet Machining of composites and metals.

• We develop the use of reconfigurable manufacturing systems for SMEs and OEMs together with their cost and performance benefits.

• We investigate the simulation, development and application of robotic manufacturing processes encompassing both science and engineering aspects.

• The robotic machining and additive manufacturing cell can process both metals, thermoplastic and thermoset composites, and metal matrix composites.

Advanced Composites Manufacturing aims to develop novel robotic manufacturing technologies through process modelling, process-robot interaction, robot motion and path planning using physical models.

We aim to demonstrate robotic manufacturing processes primarily for Aerospace and Automotive Industries in the production of composite and metallic materials such as mold lay-up, machining of composites, and rough machining of difficult to cut materials. The application area may be extended to rough machining of large scale dies and molds used in automotive body production.
The target industries are aerospace, automotive, clean energy, marine, home goods, sports equipment and other related industries.

Robotic Hybrid Manufacturing Cell

• Both robots can work with G-codes and Robot codes through KUKA CNC.

• Machining Robot: KUKA KR240 R2900 Ultra F

• Spindle: 24000 rpm, 18 kW, 20 Nm

• Wireless probing for accurate part positioning

• Additive Robot:  KUKA KR120 R2700 extra HA

Robotic AWJ Cell

• KUKA KR16 ULTRA-F over hanged on a 3-meter rail.

• Work table with dimensions of 2.5m x 2.5m

• KMT waterjet pump with 3800 bar pressure

Robotic AFP Cell

• KUKA QUANTEC KR210 R3100 robot moving on Güdel 8 meter linear axis. The robot can work with molds up to 6 meter long and 3 meters in diameter.

• Advanced composite part manufacturing requires advanced molds. Novel manufacturing technology allows us to design, develop and manufacture high quality molds for the production of advanced composite parts.

• Composite Molding Cell has the capability to design and manufacture in-house molds equipped with various sensors such as in mold pressure sensor (IMPS), thermocouple and fiber bragg grating (FBG) for process monitoring. The molds can be from metal or composite.

• Composite parts

• Composite molds

• Novel manufacturing technology

The target industries are Aerospace, Automotive, Marine, Railway, Sport/Leisure and Wind Energy sectors in their need for composite manufacturing technology.

ASC Autoclave

• Internal Clear Working Length: 3 m

• Internal Clear Working Diameter: 1.5 m

• Max. Operating Pressure: 20 Bar

• Max. Operating Temperature: 400 °C

• Pressurizing Media: Nitrogen/Air

ZUND Digital Cutter

• Workable area: 1800x3200 mm

• Workable maximum height: 60 mm

• Repeatability ± 0,03 mm

• Position accuracy ± 0,1 mm/m

Ovens

• Oven in various sizes and temperature ranges for processing of thermoset and thermoplastic composites.

HIDROMODE

• Platen dimensions: 1200 x 1200 mm

• Maximum temperature: 350 °C

• Maximum force: 600 tonnes

DVP Vacuum pumps

• Heavy-duty vacuum pumps from DVP for vacuum-bagging processes.

• Models: RC.8D and LC.60.

RTM Molds & Heat Tables

• In-house manufactured heat tables and RTM molds with dimensions ranging from 60x60 cm to 1.5x1.5 m.

• Temperature range: Up to 180 °C

Hot Press

• MSE Technology

• Platen dimensions: 500 x 500 mm

• Maximum temperature: 300 °C

• Maximum force: 50 tonnes