Accudyne delivers AFP machine to NCC

Accudyne Systems recently installed an Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) Machine in the National Composites Center located at the University of Bristol, UK. The AFP machine delivers twelve ends of ¼” wide (6.4 mm) thermoset tow that are stored in a temperature controlled creel. It features automatic tow cut & add with infrared substrate heating. There are seven coordinated axes utilizing Siemens controllers and linear motors which provide fast machine movements and precise head positioning. Tow path programming is provided by Coriolis CADFiber enabling fabrication of highly contoured parts. The machine delivers laydown rates of up to 33 ft/min (10 meters/min) and 10 lbs/hr (4.5 kg/hr). The AFP equipment will be used in the development of composite parts for commercial aircraft.