Within the current part production of carbon fiber parts a lot of manual work is included for sorting and kitting of automatic cut plies. This is required due to the high raw material costs and enables a good utilization of the materials. Automation of this non-value adding process will be a big benefit for the part production. The high variety of shapes and the different materials to be processed are complex boundary conditions, which are to be overcome.
Broetje is in development of handling systems and automation solutions, which are used for a high variety of materials as well as for a high variety of shapes. These systems are meant to be an add-on for existing cutting tables as well as for fully integrated production systems with downstream automation equipment like draping hoods.
Mayor challenges to overcome are safe gripping capabilities, detection of non-cut fibers, high variety of shapes, complex logistic management. These challenges are addressed with Broetje’s ASK solution.
This paper will focus on the innovative ASK solution invented by Broetje-Automation.