STAXX Flex

Robotic Fiber Placement

The STAXX FLEX is a high performance automated fiber placement end-effector for complex two- and three-dimensional parts. Its low weight of 440 kg including material enables it to be mounted on standard industrial robots of the 500kg class. The system is ideal for automated fiber placement in serial production. It supports common materials such as PrePreg and Dry Fiber up to 50K per tow.

The open, modular design ensures good accessibility to all components and quick and easy maintenance without tools. An automatic changing device can be integrated to further increase productivity. This allows maintenance work and material loading to be carried out parallel to the laying operation.

Technical Data

  • Net weight 280 kg / 620 lb Including material 440kg / 970 lb
  • Max. laying speed 60 m/min
  • Cut on the fly 45 m/min
  • Segmented compaction roller for even distribution of compaction force to all tows
  • 16 x 8kg material spools on board
  • Female layup radius down to 800 mm
  • Material flexibility: Thermoset and Thermoplast ¼” and ½”
  • Heating unit utilizing IR lamps or laser diodes
  • Long-life cutting unit >10.000 cuts without rework
Technical Drawing of a STAXX Flex fiber placement roboter with 16 tows.

The total of 16 tows built into the STAXX Flex result in a versatile system with high efficiency and at the same time easy handling and maintenance.

Special Features

High performance coupled with great versatility

  • High performance at complex parts, designed for 2D and 3D operation
  • Various material types (PrePreg, DryFiber, etc.)
  • High depositing mass due to thehigh laying and cutting speed with 16 tracks
  • Flexible use on a variety of positioning systems (industrial robot, machine style gantry, open gantry optional available)

Integrated Quality Control

  • Constant compaction force
  • Compaction roller following the contour
  • Camera based inline ply inspection
  • CAM system with digital twin for layup and performance simulation

Ease of use

  • Open and modular design
  • Ergonomic access to major components
  • Changable standard components, service parallel to operation
Close up of the tape-laying-unit of the endeffector.

Materials such as PrePreg and DryFiber are manageable in the STAXX Flex system for building complex 3D parts.

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STAXX Flex Product Information

Download our product flyer for more detailed information about the STAXX Flex.

SOUL OLPS User Meeting at the Broetje-Automation headquarters in Rastede, Germany

SOUL OLPS User Meeting 2025: More productivity and quality in NC programming and simulation

Putting the customer at the centre – that is the idea behind the annual SOUL OLPS user meeting at Broetje-Automation. From 19 to 21 March, this year’s SOUL OLPS user meeting took place at the company’s headquarters in Rastede. The annual event is a valuable opportunity for in-depth discussions on current challenges and best practices in NC programming and simulation. In addition to sharing best practices, new features for the leading offline NC programming system were presented, including integration with the latest “3D Experience Platform” and the realisation of a comprehensive digital twin of machine, process and component.

The STAXX Flex Robotic AFP System is ideally suited for complex Fiber Placement Processes such as for Hydrogen Tank Structures (Photo: DLR)

Broetje-Automation Showcases Cutting-Edge Composite Manufacturing Technology at JEC World 2025!

Visit our Booth in Hall 5 #M115 | March 4-6, 2025 | Paris, France

Rastede, Germany – Broetje-Automation, a global leader in advanced manufacturing solutions, invites industry professionals, researchers and the media to visit its booth at JEC World 2025, the premier trade show for the composites industry. The event will take place from 4 to 6 March 2025 in Paris, where Broetje-Automation will present groundbreaking innovations in composite manufacturing, including a large hydrogen tank demonstrator for future aircraft and the revolutionary STAXX Flex 8-tow end-effector.