UD-CCM (https://www.ccm.udel.edu) has selected Mikrosam (https://mikrosam.com) and their US representative Composite Automation LLC (https://www.compositeautomation.com) to deliver an integrated ATP machine for automatic placement of dry, thermoset and thermoplastic tape. Equipment specifications include placement of thin to standard ply thickness tape (up to 1 inch width), laser and IR heating with in-situ temperature control and thermal camera feedback, and horizontal axes allowing manufacturing of full-scale prototypes (10 ft length). Mikrosam is designating UD-CCM as their primary academic partner in the US providing open software and hardware access enabling R&D to develop new material solutions, in-situ process control and path/placement optimization. Robotic tape placement of composites in dry, thermoset and thermoplastic formats enables precision control of fiber orientation for high-performance applications with the benefit to meet higher production rates. Together, UD-CCM, Mikrosam and Composite Automation, LLC will collaborate to provide a place for North American composites manufacturing companies can perform R&D, including ITAR programs.  Contact me for more information!

Aerospace manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI, San Diego, CA, US) is developing a novel process for the fabrication of thermoplastic composite structures that obviates the need for traditional molds or tooling. The system is expected to have application in the aerospace, space, marine and wind energy end markets.

Although it has not been formally named, the tool-less process uses two 6-axis robots working cooperatively to place thermoplastic tape into open space within a metallic or similar frame that provides the boundaries of the structure being fabricated (see photo). Composite Automation LLC (Cape Coral, FL, US), using Mikrosam (Prilep, Macedonia) equipment, worked with GE-ASI to develop the automation.

CompositesWorld publishes an article about Mikrosam’s new fully integrated line put into production for Magna a major supplier to automotive manufacturers.  Auto manufacturers are preparing to go all in on NGV as research shows they are lower in greenhouse gas emissions and cheaper to operate per mile.  Is this the end of diesel cars?

Mikrosam in the news!  Mikrosam produces the first and only fully integrated filament winding production facility in the world for a major automotive manufacturer.  Contact me to see a video of this machine in operation.

 

Cevotec has launched their newest innovation, the use of a larger gripper to apply larger pieces of composites materials.  See the article here.

Cevotec Additive Patch Placement

Located in the Southwest Borderplex region of El Paso, Texas, USA and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.  Jorge promotes business development activities in Mexico and Latin America including the Southwest region of the U.S. (Texas and New Mexico).  Jorge is bilingual and fluent in English / Spanish and enjoys working with customers and understanding the complexity of technology projects and finding viable engineering and manufacturing solutions related to composites & engineering materials.   Jorge enjoys traveling, hiking, riding horses, mountain biking and enjoys spending quality time with his wife and children.

Welcome aboard Guillermo!  Guillermo promotes business development activities in Mexico and Latin America. Guillermo is bilingual and fluent in English / Spanish and has been working for more than 15 years in the automation industry developing engineering solutions. Guillermo enjoys basketball, reading, videogames, teaching STEM base courses for kids and enjoys spending quality time with his family.

See the article by Jeff Sloan featuring Mikrosam in CompositesWorld.  Come visit us at CAMX!

Mikrosam Robotic Automated Fiber/Tape Placement