At the JEC World trade show 2018 on March 6-8, Dieffenbacher will present its new solutions for the high-volume production of fiber-reinforced plastic components.
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| Fiberforge is the fastest tape laying system in the world: Within a mere second, the tapes are laid in a defined pattern |
Dieffenbacher is a supplier of automated, turnkey production systems for the high-volume production of composite components. The production procedures presented at JEC World enable shorter cycle times and more efficient production processes, making it possible to use large-series fiber-reinforced components in the automotive and aerospace industries. Three procedures are the stars of the show.
Tape-Laying Process – Faster and more precise with the tailored blank line: With the tailored blank line using the Fiberforge and Fibercon systems, Dieffenbacher offers a solution for the large-series production of locally reinforced thermoplastic components.
In the first step, the Fiberforge produces near-net-shape composite lay-ups from unidirectional carbon fiber and/ or glass fiber pre-preg tapes. One laying cycle lasts about one second, making this system the fastest tape laying system in the world. After a laying pattern is defined, the tapes can be rolled off of coils and laid according to that pattern. The Fiberforge system can carry four of these coils. This makes it possible to mix different materials in one tape lay-up. Even the width and thickness of the tapes can be varied.
With a new angle-cutting system, the start and end of the tape can be cut variably either straight or at an angle of plus or minus 45 degrees. Precise and near-net-shape tape laying reduces excess bleed cuttings. An automatic coil exchange system guarantees uninterrupted production.
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| New Dieffenbacher CompressLite |
In the second step, Fibercon uses vacuum-assisted forming to form the tape lay-ups into a near-net-shape laminate. The Fibercon can process several lay-ups simultaneously and has impressively short cycle times. The vacuum-assisted forming system minimizes air pockets and material faults and reduces the level of oxidation, producing unparalleled laminate quality.
Together with downstream systems such as handling robots and compression molds, the Fiberforge and Fibercon systems make it possible to produce more than one million components per year.
New generation of CompressLite – Product design combines advanced technology with maximum profitability and efficiency: The new generation of the successful CompressLite press series offers improvements in many respects. Thanks to high speeds and short pressure build-up times, CompessLite has been optimally adapted to thermoplastic processes. The newly developed control and visualization of the CompressLite allows a comfortable and intuitive operation. The result is a modern product design that delivers the latest future-proof technology along with maximum profitability and efficiency.
