AUTOMATED HANDLING OF AUXILIARY MATERIALS FOR VACUUM BAGGING IN CFRP FUSELAGE PRODUCTION

摘要

In order to match a predicted production ramp-up in aircraft production, state of the art manufacturing techniques have to be optimized regarding productivity and efficiency. Especially vacuum infusion techniques for large CFRP structures still involve a high amount of manual work. In detail, the vacuum bagging depends on manual lay-up processes of auxiliary materials. A first approach of automation concepts for robot-based vacuum bagging will be discussed in this paper.
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\nIn a research project at the Center for Leigtweight Production Technology in Augsburg, automated manufacturing of a single-curved CFRP fuselage demonstrator has been investigated. A rigid gripping system with needle grippers has been developed and validated for the application of auxiliary materials as peel ply, release film and airweave on the top of a dry fiber preform. Alongside the process chain, handling and positioning procedures have been analyzed both analytically and in experimental test series.
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\nAccording to the rigidity of the gripping system, an adequate motion concept for the fuselage demonstrator has been found. The gripping system allows pick-up, transportation and positioning of auxiliary material packages on a single-curved preform with high accuracy. Based on these results conclusions for future vacuum bagging processes can be drawn.