CAMX 2021 exhibit preview: Carbon Axis

Carbon Axis (La Rochelle, France) showcases its XCell machine, a compact  automated fiber placement (AFP) solution for the preforming of small parts (up to 1 x 0.5 x 0.5 m). The XCell machine, said to be a turnkey solution with a small footprint, can be easily integrated into any shop floor; total machine size is less than 2 x 2 m. 

The XCell has been designed for easy setup and safe operation. It comprises an insulated and temperature-regulated cell in which a small payload six-axis Kuka (Augsburg, Germany) robot carries Carbon Axis’ proprietary AFP head, the XPlace. The machine uses industry standard 3″ core bobbins of raw material, stored in a creel system that is tension controlled and that can be set up through the human machine interface. This flexible preforming cell can process both thermoset towpregs and dry stabilized tapes. 

Carbon Axis’ patented AFP head design is said to incorporate the “angle cut” feature, which enables the manufacture of net shape preforms by eliminating the stepped contour traditionally found with AFP. Carbon Axis says this technology sees potential application in automated aircraft repair. Its latest developments for the XPlace mk2 also enables the deposition of fibers with a minimum fiber length of 50 mm for the development of preforms with more detailed contours.

The XCell currently has customers in the sports industry and R&D centers and is looking to expand to other markets such as motor sports, e-mobility or other new spaces.

Further, the company has recently commissioned an in-house dedicated R&D machine, the IdeaLab, that reportedly streamlines the transition towards automation to go from concept to product, prototype fabrication and small series production.