Supply, Delivery and Commissioning of an Automated Fibre Placement System

The University require an automated fibre placement system with integrated 6-axis industrial robotic arm, linear track, light curtain safety system, and end effector for composites manufacturing with thermoset prepreg tows.

This system is required for the placement of composite prepreg tows in an automated process in order to efficiently and accurately manufacture fibre composite parts.

A high-level specification for this system is as below:

• The offered equipment must include an Automated Fibre Placement end effector provided with and integrated with a 6-axis industrial robotic arm ("Robot") and control system.
• The Robot has a minimum payload of 50kg at maximum extension.
• The Robot must have a pose repeatability (according to ISO9283) of maximum +- 0.05mm
• The offered equipment must include and integrate a linear track of approximately 2 meters in length for deployment of Robot and booster plate.
• The Automated Fibre Placement Systems end effector must be mounted on the end of the previously specified 6-axis robot.
• The offered equipment must include a manual quick-change mount on end of Robot arm to facilitate removal of AFP end effector without need of tools
• The offered equipment must include an Automated Fibre Placement end effector capable of placing 0.635-cm (1/4 in.) and 2.54-cm (1 in.) thermoset prepeg tows and be provided with end effector hardware necessary to do so.