Handling

Discover our solutions for Handling, Sorting and Kitting as well as Draping

The handling of various composite structures is part of the composite production process. We provide three different handling options for various industrial applications that can be customized to fit the application processes you need on the shopfloor. Our systems are able to handle various materials such as Prepreg, Dry Fiber, Thermoset and Thermoplastic. Wheater it is the handling of different composite structures, the automated sorting and kitting process or the draping of composite parts, Broetje-Automation delivers a suitible solution to implement automated and cost-efficient systems for your netxt step towards the Factory of the Future.

Composite Handling System with adaptive structure

This system ensures maximum protection, no distortions and offers material independent technologies that can pick up structures of different contours to fit our technology to the customers challenges.  Broetje-Automation has developed a special vacuum generation with pneumatic muscles as actuators that makes adaptive handling as easy as it can be.

Details

  • Ply stacking for preform build-up via local heating elements
  • High positioning accuracy
  • Lay-up rate: more than 100kg/h possible
  • Extension for manual station
  • Area of application: direct layup of plies in mould for skins and covers
  • Direct layup in mold for aerial surfaces in 3D shapes
  • Skins, Covers, Panels, Floors
Two robotic systems with rectangular handling units can be seen on the shopfloor.

Sensitive vacuum handling for different workpiece conditions is the key to handle the structures with maximum care and flexibility.

Automated Sorting & Kitting (ASK)

A high variety of shapes require a high flexibility in the handling unit. To automate the Sorting and Kitting process for small and complex parts, Broetje-Automation connected a standard cutting table with an automated system for stacking and sorting of a production kit. The robotic handling system is able to communicate with the cutting table trough the Assembly Management System which makes the production clearer.

Details

  • Intelligent interfaces between the systems
  • Robot (with EEF) Software
  • Complex parts with high contur variety
  • Material independent
  • Automation of cutting tables enabled for line integration
  • Ideal enhancement for manual Stations
  • Existing cutting tables at customers can be upgraded with Broetje ASK
The automated sorting and kitting unit of the robotic system is placed upon the cutting table.

Higher productivity in the production cycle can be achieved by the upstream step of sorting and kittingcomposite parts.

Draping of composite parts

The draping of composites and combining of semi-finished products is an extension of the handling system. Through gentle automated processes, we achieve a particularly high quality of the products with our systems.
Due to the aviation-qualified draping and fixing methods, the integral and fully automated process steps are carried out with high efficiency and productivity.

Adaptable handling units for curved structures.

Adaptable handling units for a maximum of flexibility.

STAXX-ONE-afp-features

Broetje-Automation delivers STAXX One Automated Fiber Placement System to VIC-K for Future-Oriented Solutions

Broetje-Automation has delivered the innovative Automated Fiber Placement System “STAXX One” to VIC-K, a leading international provider of products and services to the aerospace, defense, energy, and railway sectors. The system includes a COMAU industrial robot with a STAXX One Fiber Placement Endeffector and an additional rotational axis, making it ideally suited for building a wide variety of composite structures.

Marc Fette (left), CEO of CTC GmbH and his team welcomed the new robotic AFP system at the premises of CTC in Stade.

Broetje-Automation delivers STAXX One Fiber Placement System to CTC Composite Technology Center Stade

Broetje-Automation GmbH has delivered its highly innovative STAXX One Automated Fiber Placement Robot to the Composite Technology Center / CTC GmbH (An Airbus Company) in Stade, Germany. This advanced and automated fiber deposition system will be used in conjunction with the CTC and Airbus teams to create ecologically efficient and innovative composite structures, in support of a more sustainable future of mobility.