Design of an automation system for preforming processes in aerospace industries

Due to their material properties, carbon fiber-reinforced plastics have become more and more important in aerospace industries since the 1980s. However, their efficient use is still limited by a largely manual manufacturing process. In this paper, we present a novel automation system for preforming and draping dry carbon fiber textiles into a mold. It consists of a multi-functional robot end-effector, which integrates the three essential functions gripping, draping and fixation, as well as a software solution which supports the automation of the process. Experimental results gained on industrial reference toolings show the feasibility and flexibility of the approach.