The AFP-X represents our commitment to democratizing advanced composite manufacturing technology. As the first high-production-grade Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) tool designed specifically to bring high-volume capabilities to the masses, it packs four times the production power of our standard systems while maintaining the accessibility that has made our solutions so popular[9].

Our modular 4-tow system is changing how industries approach high-performance composite part production, offering unparalleled versatility and precision for manufacturers across aerospace, automotive, marine, and other sectors requiring high-performance composites[1].

Key Production Capabilities

The AFP-X Multi-Tow system delivers industrial-grade performance specifications:

• Precision placement: Gap accuracy of -0/+2mm with start/end of pass placement within ±2.5mm[2]
• Production speeds: Up to 0.5 m/s for continuous, high-volume output[2]
• Versatile material handling: Compatible with thermoset, thermoplastic, towpreg, and dry fibers[1]
• High-volume optimization: Combining AFP and Filament Winding techniques for large-scale production efficiency[1]

The production advantages of AFP technology are well-documented, and our AFP-X system builds on these fundamentals while making them accessible to more manufacturers:

• 8.6x higher throughput: AFP systems typically achieve 8.6kg/hr compared to approximately 1kg/hr for manual layup techniques[8]
• Labor savings of 50%: For complex contoured parts, AFP delivers dramatic efficiency improvements[8]
• Reduced production cycles: Our streamlined production process significantly reduces cycle times while improving material utilization and quality consistency[1]

These metrics demonstrate why AFP technology has become essential in industries where both production volume and precision are critical requirements.

The AFP-X system particularly shines when tackling geometries that traditional manufacturing approaches struggle with:

Application Versatility

Our customers are successfully using the AFP-X for manufacturing:

• Concave parts: Including winglets and fuselage sections that require precise fiber placement along complex curves[11]
• Sandwich structures: Such as engine nacelles and casings that demand multi-material layup precision[11]
• Closed sections: Including pressure vessels where continuous fiber placement is essential for structural integrity[11]
• Dual-mode components: The system’s ability to switch between AFP and filament winding modes enables production of hybrid components like Type IV hydrogen tanks[11]

Technical Capabilities for Complex Surfaces

The AFP-X system provides exceptional fiber steering capabilities – crucial for optimizing structural performance in complex parts. While wider tow systems are limited in their steering radius, our technology enables production-ready components with superior fiber orientation control[11].

One of the most powerful features of the AFP-X is its advanced digital twin technology integration. Working with our AddPath software, this capability enables:

• Real-time monitoring and optimization: Monitor production processes with unprecedented visibility[1]
• Pre-production simulation: Visualize the entire manufacturing process before committing to physical production[4]
• Error reduction: Identify and address potential issues before they impact your parts[4]

Using AddPath, design engineers can turn a CAD model into a fully planned and automated layup in just a few steps. The software allows for controlling parameters like fiber orientation and allowed gaps, with the ability to add reinforced areas or suppress specific tool paths as needed[4].

We designed the AFP-X as a plug-and-play solution that integrates easily with your existing robotic arms from major manufacturers including Kuka, ABB, Fanuc, Kawasaki, and Yaskawa[1]. This approach dramatically reduces implementation time and costs compared to traditional AFP systems that require complete infrastructure overhauls.

The system’s comprehensive integration capabilities include:

• Robot compatibility: Works with your existing robotic arm infrastructure[1]
• Software integration: Our AddPath software works as a plugin on top of Rhino, a commonly used CAD modeling platform[4][5]
• Process flexibility: Adaptive control systems accommodate variations in materials and production conditions[1]

Our customers are already experiencing the benefits of the AFP-X system across multiple industries:

• Aerospace manufacturers: Producing complex structural components with unprecedented efficiency
• Automotive suppliers: Creating lightweight, high-strength parts at production volumes previously unattainable with composite processes
• Energy sector innovators: Manufacturing wind turbine components and hydrogen storage solutions with optimized fiber orientations

The video demonstrations on our website showcase the AFP-X in action, highlighting:

• The advanced 4-tow system during operation
• Digital Twin technology with AddPath enhancing production
• Seamless integration with existing Kuka robotic systems
• Thermoset slit tape application with backing film collection at high-speed placement[1]

For early adopters looking to gain a competitive edge in composite manufacturing, the AFP-X represents an opportunity to access production-grade AFP capabilities without the traditional barriers to entry. We’ve designed this system specifically to democratize advanced composite manufacturing, making high-volume, high-precision production accessible to a broader range of manufacturers.

Ready to Explore AFP-X for Your Production?

Whether you’re considering AFP technology for the first time or looking to scale up your existing composite manufacturing capabilities, we invite you to:

1. Request a demonstration: See the AFP-X in action with your specific materials and geometries
2. Try AddPath for free: Experience our powerful planning software with a complimentary license
3. Discuss your production challenges: Our team specializes in helping manufacturers identify and implement the right AFP solution for their specific needs

Contact our team at sales@addcomposites.com to learn more about how the AFP-X can revolutionize your composite manufacturing process, or to request your free AddPath license to begin exploring the possibilities from your own workstation[1].

Visit www.addcomposites.com for detailed specifications, case studies, and video demonstrations of the AFP-X in action.

The AFP-X represents our continued commitment to making advanced composite manufacturing technology accessible to more manufacturers. By combining multi-tow production capabilities with user-friendly design and seamless integration, we’re enabling a new generation of composite manufacturers to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency, precision, and innovation.

As the composites industry continues to evolve, the AFP-X system provides a scalable solution that grows with your production needs while maintaining the precision and quality that your most demanding applications require.

Citations:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr1jtdyv8fM
2. https://www.addcomp.ca/services/afp-robotic-cells
3. https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LAR-TOPS-339
4. https://www.addcomposites.com/post/addpath-installation-instructions
5. https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/addcomposites-virtual-demo-on-how-to-make-an-afp-composite-laminate
6. https://www.compositesworld.com/products/addcomposites-brings-multi-tow-afp-system-to-the-composites-market
7. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/addcomposites_composites-additivemanufacturing-afp-activity-7221452913372450817-J51H
8. https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2024/13/matecconf_icmr2024_08002.pdf
9. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/addcomposites_afp-compositesmanufacturing-automationtechnology-activity-7252651963798966272-bEz4
10. https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/combining-afp-with-3d-printing-for-flexible-parts-production
11. https://www.addcomposites.com/post/mastering-complex-geometries-with-single-tow-afp-technical-capabilities-and-applications
12. https://mtorres.es/en/equipment/manufacturing-systems/lamination/automatic-machine-of-fiberplacement-torresfiberlayup
13. https://www.electroimpact.com/WhitePapers/2010-01-1877.pdf
14. https://www.addcomposites.com/all-products
15. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/19/6/1310
16. https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/the-next-evolution-in-afp
17. https://compositeskn.org/KPC/A303
18. https://www.addcomposites.com/post/the-insane-engineering-behind-automated-fiber-placement
19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s26gtc0tPbM
20. https://www.addcomposites.com/all-products/afp-x
21. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0263822319308281
22. https://www.addcomposites.com/post/overview-of-automated-fiber-placement-process
23. https://www.addcomposites.com/all-products/addpath
24. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666682021000773
25. https://www.additivemanufacturing.media/articles/3d-printing-and-afp-join-forces-in-automotive-demonstrator-2
26. https://www.momentslab.com/customer-stories/newsbridge-afp-webinar-cloud-based-production-during-confinement
27. http://www.afp.com/en/our-offer/video