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Hardware

Hardware

1. What are the overall dimensions and weight of the AFP-XS?​​​​​

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  • ​The AFP-XS has bounding dimensions of 595mm x 530mm x 255mm and has a dry weight of 12 kg. The spool has an OD of 330 mm, which brings the overall weight up to just under 15 kg (33 lbs).

2. ​What is the heating method in AFP-XS?

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  • IR lamps. For high-temperature thermoplastics, we provide humm3, laser, and hot air options. more info about heating technologies with AFP can be found here.

4. Is there active tension control in the AFP

    tool? Or is it passive looping around pulleys?

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  • Tension is actively controlled by a brake at the spool, which can be adjusted as necessary.

6. Can AFP-XS cut on the fly, and with angled cuts?

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  • Currently, the AFP-XS pauses briefly (30 ms) to make the cut. This ensures no fraying of the fibers and keeps the accuracy of the cut end placement. In the future, it will be optimized to enable cutting on the fly. No, we don’t perform angled cuts. Each fiber has to be cut perpendicularly to the fiber direction. This is an important consideration to take into account for design purposes.

8. What tape weight can AFP-XS handle?

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  • AFP-XS can handle dry tapes with a weight of 80 GSM to 300 GSM. When handling thermoset prepregs, the applicable weights are 150 GSM to 250 GSM. For thermoplastic tapes, the applicable weights are 100 GSM to 150 GSM.

10. What is the speed of layup the toolheads can layup accurately?

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  • This depends entirely upon the heating unit, material, and mold shape combination. We are confident in 250mm/s while using an IR heater and thermoset material on flats. For thermoplastics, a more powerful heater will be required, and speed depends on heat intensity. 

12. What robot do I need in order to use this?

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  • The AFP-XS is currently capable of plug and play in any KUKA, with 16kg+ payload, that uses a KR C4 controller. This is necessary due to our method of using EtherCAT in order to communicate between the AFP-XS and KUKA. 

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3. What are the minimum radii we can achieve?

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  • AFP-XS can confidently and repeatedly layup a minimum radius of 30mm. The tool has a clearance angle of 15˚, which means that if the radius results in any angle greater than 15˚, there will be a collision. We are constantly improving upon these restrictions.

5. What is the min/max compaction force exerted by the compaction roller?

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  • 0-350N. There is a linear actuator, controlled via pneumatic valve, so the pressure can be adjusted as necessary.

7. What is the range of tape widths AFP-XS can handle?

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  • AFP-XS can handle tows and spread tow tapes with widths from 5mm up to 25mm (5mm increments) and from ¼” up to 1” (¼” increments). The widths can be accounted for by replacing the standard chute with the one designed for your desired width. There are plans in place to create a larger toolhead that can handle 25mm to 50mm, and 1” to 2”, wide spread tow tapes.

9. What are the in-plane/out-of-plane fiber orientation our toolheads can apply tapes?

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  • Our toolheads are able to achieve a fiber direction of anywhere between 0˚-90˚, with 6 degrees of freedom. We are limited by the reach of the robotic arm and its maneuverability, within reason.

11. What are some of the material limitations?

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  • Currently we are working exclusively with carbon fiber unidirectional tape. We have accurately performed layup with a glass and thermoplastic tape on a special request. As glass and natural fibers become more in demand, our technology can be adapted to accept those as raw material inputs.

13. Does it have to be a KUKA robot?

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  • At the moment, yes. We are entering a project to become functional on FANUC robots, with completion date to be July 2021. Discussions are progressing with other robotic suppliers, but we are focused on KUKA and FANUC optimization before expanding to other platforms. 

Software

Software

1. What is your OLP software?

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  • The AddPath software was developed in-house as a plug-in for Rhino 3D, version 6 or later. Rhino is an affordable, user friendly CAD software available at a discounted price for universities and research centers via the Rhino website. It offers very visual components and intuitive programming with developer community and accessible pricing, as opposed to other plug-ins running off of CATIA. It is also easily integrated with Grasshopper, which enables you, the end user, to build new basic logic on top of our platform for your experiments. If you require something more in-depth, we would be happy to discuss this with you and provide you the updated functionality at no extra cost! The software will output code in a format that is readable by the selected robot.

3. Does AddPath support other modeling software than Rhino, such as CATIA?​

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  • No. This goes against our values of providing accessible automation, since CATIA is used primarily in high cash flow industries. A lifetime license of Rhino is available for about €1,000; universities would receive a further discount directly from Rhino themselves.

2. Just how easy is it to program?

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  • AddPath was designed to have an intuitive workflow, and everything was designed with intent. After importing your robot and tools, you will then be able to select the layup surface. Once the parameters are determined, you will be able to see a preview of the layup, along with an animation. There will be visual cues for anomalies, such as the robot turning color if a collision is detected. Once satisfied, simply save the layup, and AddPath will generate the code into KUKA Robotic Language (KRL). Using the KUKA pendant, select the program you just generated and watch the robot do the work! 

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Check out this blogpost for a more in-depth overview. 

4. Is AddPath universal for all robotic arms?

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  • Everything from the logic standpoint remains the same between robots, but each company has its own robotic language. We need to gain access to each additional brand of robot in order to effectively develop the software correctly.

5. Is there an active feedback loop?

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  • Not yet. Each component is analogously monitored, but only provides real time information. Some readouts are already available digitally, and plans are in place to record the data in a database. These will be available on future systems.

Financial

Financial

1. What is your rental program?

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  • The rental program is available to anyone performing research at their facility, such as universities, technical centers, etc. Under the program, the tool is available for rent on a monthly basis, with a minimum of four (4) months. This allows universities and researchers to have access to the tool without the risk of large investments, freeing up capital for further research. The tiered pricing is based upon the duration you need the tool for. The different tiers are based upon the following durations: 4-6 months, 7-11 months, and 12+ months. This is only available for standard tools. Any customization will require you to purchase the system.

2. If I’m not sure I want to purchase immediately, can I begin with the rental program and decide whether or not to purchase later?

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  • Absolutely! As a university or technical/research center, the purpose of the rental program is either for short term projects or to provide SMEs the opportunity to collaborate, when they otherwise wouldn’t be able to. If you decide, at any point, you want to purchase the system permanently just let us know! We will treat the amount put into as a loan and reduce the overall purchase price by 80%, plus the full security deposit. 

3. Is a security deposit required?

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  • Yes. A security deposit of €2,500 is required, and will be included in the initial invoice. This will be a temporary hold until completion of your project and return of the equipment in good condition, excluding the normal wear and tear. 

4. What kind of warranty do you offer?

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  • For the duration of the rental program, cutters and compaction rollers are covered under normal wear and tear. You will also be notified of any software updates that are available for you to install. If there is a feature you want added, let us know and we will work with you incorporating it, then push it out as soon as it's ready. Online support is available during normal office hours. 

  • Upon purchasing the system, we offer the same warranty for two years (hardware) and three years (software). Once those time periods are up, you can opt to continue with an annual maintenance contract. Option to cancel the AMC once the annual period comes to a close. 

Shoot us a message if there is something you would like more clarification on, or to discuss something we may have missed! 

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