A ‘First’ in Automated Composites Processing
New interchangeable Cut/Clamp/Restart module for fiber placement machines increases productivity, throughput and ease of maintenance, as well as factory output without new machinery or infrastructure.
MAG IAS, LLC (Erlanger, KY) has developed a new system to automatically exchange a fresh cut/clamp/restart (CCR) unit whenever needed on fiber placement machines, eliminating downtime and allowing the machines to maintain full production rates virtually uninterrupted.
Developed for Boeing South Carolina, the CCR changing system allows offline servicing of a contaminated end effector to dramatically increase the production availability of new or existing machines. Boeing purchased the option on a new VIPER® 6000 Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) System for the North Charleston, SC facility.
MAG estimates the system will yield higher machine utilization and a significant time savings on part production through minimized interruption of part layup. “We expect the interchangeable cut/clamp/restart (CCR) system to be an important factor in helping Boeing fulfill its plans for increasing production rates at the South Carolina facility,” explained Robert Harper, the director of technical sales for MAG Composites. “The VIPER 6000s have delivered highly reliable layup for fuselage sections since 2006. The interchangeable CCR module will maximize the machines’ efficiency and throughput, particularly when fabricating these large parts.”
The CCR changing system automatically exchanges one end effector for a second that processes the same width material, utilizing a docking stand outside the work zone. The offline CCR can then be cleaned or serviced without interruption to production.
The interchangeable CCR module is designed for easy maintenance, and can be disassembled in minutes without hand tools. “Unlike head docking, this system leaves all the raw material aboard the machine and changes the end effector only,” Harper added. “This makes the exchange fast and simple.” The interchangeable CCR module also includes high-speed cut and add-on-the-fly rates as a standard feature.
