Getting to grips with automated prepreg handling

Björnsson, Andreas; Jonsson, Marie; Eklund, Daniel; Lindbäck, Jan Erik; Björkman, Mats

doi:10.1007/s11740-017-0763-2

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Also, UDs and NCFs have more freedom in tailoring the lay-up sequence. However, UDs will have the tendency to split, tear and wrinkle under forming loads due to their low structural rigidity [4,20]. Additional advantages of NCFs include an increase in the layup rate due to higher masses per-unit area and a low number of defects due to material handlingeven in large cut pieces [21].…”

Section: Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Plies are generally picked up straight and placed straight down, e.g. [4,[40][41][42]. Alternatively, pick-up and place down is achieved through a rolling motion [22].…”

Section: Ply Handling Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The free ply strategy is used for both flat [4,25] and curved [6,21,38,46] surfaces. For curved moulds they can be picked up straight before being actively draped over the mould [21,38,46] while other strategies use an additional roller to place the ply [6].…”

Section: Compliant (C)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…limited to UD materials and to the handling of strips of material. An alternative to these solutions is an automated "pick-and-place" process where dry or prepreg fabrics that have been (automatically) cut from a roll of material are picked up and placed on a flat layup surface or a curved mould [3,4]. When compared to ATL or AFP, the equipment, tooling and programming required for pick-and-place operations is relatively straightforward and availablemaking the process competitive even for smaller parts and lower volume productions [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This can partly be explained by existing technologies being unable to match the ability of skilled laminators when draping fabrics on double curved surfaces or complex moulds [8,9]. A solution for this is the decoupling of lay-up and forming in a two step process [4,9]. An additional advantage of full stack forming is the potentially great reduction in overall draping time and manufacturing cost [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Strategies for swift automated pick-and-place operations of multiple large-sized layers of reinforcement - a critical review

Zeeuw

Peeters

Bergsma

et al. 2020

Advanced Manufacturing: Polymer & Composites Science

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For the application of composite materials to become more widespread and replace traditional materials their manufacturing processes and final products will need to be competitive and be e.g. lighter, stronger or stiffer and quicker, easier or more cost-efficient to produce than traditional materials. The state of the art for pick-and-place operations for the manufacturing of composite parts focuses on handling single lab-sized layers at undisclosed speeds. The process could however be more competitive by being able to handle more and larger layers in a faster manner than currently presented in research. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the existing pick-and-place strategies on their suitability for the swift automated handling of multiple large-sized layers of reinforcement. The review shows that many of the existing techniques could be suitable for different scenario's and discusses which factors are to be taken into account when dealing with large layers, more than one layer or rapid handling.

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Section: Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Plies are generally picked up straight and placed straight down, e.g. [4,[40][41][42]. Alternatively, pick-up and place down is achieved through a rolling motion [22].…”

Section: Ply Handling Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Compliant (C)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Strategies for swift automated pick-and-place operations of multiple large-sized layers of reinforcement - a critical review

Zeeuw

Peeters

Bergsma

et al. 2020

Advanced Manufacturing: Polymer & Composites Science

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Numerical and experimental study on protective film removal towards the automation of flexible electronics assembly

Basile

Fontana

Modica

et al. 2022

Int J Adv Manuf Technol

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Flexible electronics is one of the most promising trends in the electronics industry, with increasing implementations in several application fields. However, in industrial applications, the assembly of film-based coverlays is still performed manually, representing a bottleneck in the whole production cycle, a source of defects caused by human errors, and introducing fatiguing tasks, such as the removal of the protective film covering the base material. In a novel methodology, this latter challenge is achieved by relying on the mechanical action of a rotating tool impacting the protective film. Such a process is typically stochastic and dependent on several parameters related to the tool-coverlay interaction, and the flexibility of film-type introduces further complexity. The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of working conditions on the reliability of the process (i.e., success rate of the removal of the protective film). Finite element method (FEM) simulations are used to investigate and assess the stiffness exhibited by the component in response to the impacting force; therefore, a favorable gripping configuration is identified. An experimental campaign of the automated process is presented, aimed at assessing the effects of process parameters (tool rotating speed, adhesive thickness, approaching speed) on the protective film detachment. The results show that the process is predominantly affected by component-specific parameters, which, in turn, are significantly dependent on material supply conditions. Finally, useful insights are drawn to optimize the process and improve the design of the gripper of the robotized workcell.

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On deformable object handling: multi-tool end-effector for robotized manipulation and layup of fabrics and composites

Papadopoulos

Andronas

Kampourakis

et al. 2023

Int J Adv Manuf Technol

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Over the past decades, robotic automation has expanded in numerous industrial sectors; however, manufacturing operations involving the manipulation of non-rigid products are mostly preserved manual. The dynamic distortion of flexible objects underlines limitations in robot cognition and dexterity. Inspired by the gaps in composites industry automation, this paper presents a novel multifunctional robot end-effector for the robotic automation of composites layup. Aiming a holistic confrontation of layup challenges, the proposed end-effector incorporates tools for (a) the manipulation of sheet materials, like composite fabrics of variable dimensions; (b) the grasping of core materials, like foam blocks; (c) the handling of peripheral tools; (d) the exertion of fitting forces; and (e) the application of resin in diverse mold geometry cavities. The meticulous design of the end-effector’s configuration allows for consistent and collision-free tool usage with no excess robot tool changes, granting even higher productivity and efficiency. The enhancement in robot dexterity and proficiency for layup operations is validated within an automotive case, where semi-automation is intended for the improvement in overall workstation’s efficiency, quality, ergonomics, and well-being.

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Getting to grips with automated prepreg handling

Cited by 8 publications

References 10 publications

Strategies for swift automated pick-and-place operations of multiple large-sized layers of reinforcement - a critical review

Strategies for swift automated pick-and-place operations of multiple large-sized layers of reinforcement - a critical review

Numerical and experimental study on protective film removal towards the automation of flexible electronics assembly

On deformable object handling: multi-tool end-effector for robotized manipulation and layup of fabrics and composites

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