The questions engineers actually ask.

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).

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Material compatibility depends on the selected process module, tape format, heating method and quality plan. Configurations are available for dry fiber, thermoset prepreg and thermoplastic unidirectional tape; glass or other reinforcement systems are confirmed through material trials before release.

The robot and controller are selected around the tool payload, required reach, part geometry, external axes, process communication and safety architecture. Addcomposites confirms the supported robot, controller and interface as part of the cell feasibility review.

No. AddCell and AddPath can be configured for multiple industrial robot platforms. Exact compatibility depends on the toolhead, controller generation, fieldbus, safety options and post-processor required for the project, so an installed robot is checked before a configuration is quoted.

AddPath is Addcomposites' offline programming environment for composite processes. It connects part geometry, process parameters, robot and tooling definitions, path generation, simulation and controller-specific program output within the configured production workflow.

A typical workflow imports the cell and part, selects the manufacturing surface, defines process parameters, previews the path, checks reach and collisions, and generates the program for the configured controller. Commissioning and training are included in the system scope so the digital cell matches the delivered hardware.

AddPath supports defined CAD and geometry exchange workflows, including Rhino and Grasshopper-based engineering workflows. If your process starts in CATIA or another PLM/CAD environment, the required geometry, laminate and data exchange are agreed during system definition.

The process-planning logic is shared, while each robot family requires a validated post-processor, controller interface and cell model. Addcomposites confirms those elements for the selected robot before deployment.

Research and evaluation arrangements may be available for standard configurations, depending on equipment availability, project duration and the required customization. Contact Addcomposites for the current options rather than relying on a historic rental schedule.

Where a rental or evaluation arrangement is offered, any transition to purchase is defined in that project's quotation. Commercial credit, duration and conversion terms are not assumed and must be confirmed in writing.

Deposit, insurance, shipping and return conditions depend on the equipment and project. The applicable terms are stated in the current quotation; no fixed historic deposit should be assumed.

Warranty, wear-part coverage, software updates, remote support and maintenance are defined for the delivered configuration and region in the project contract. Ask for the current warranty and service scope with your system quotation.