How it works

Airborne has developed a plug-and-play, Automated Kitting solution for composite plies. Plies are loaded on a conveyor, or automatically fed from the ply cutter. The machine then picks the plies from the conveyor and sorts them into groups on trays in a buffer system. The  pregroupped plies are then automatically sequenced in the order required for layup. Airborne’s proprietary buffer design ensures fast operation and a small footprint. 

Performance

Airborne’s standalone and integrated Automated Kitting solutions can kit up to 220 plies per hour and up to 1200 plies per production run. The exact performance of the automated kitting machine depends on the number of kits kitted per production run and the average number of plies per tray.

The kitting algorithm is selected automatically depending on the production requirements to deliver the best performance. A kitting rate of 150 or 220 plies per hour is achieved in most cases. Performance tailoring to specific requirements may be possible through hardware and/or software customisation.

standalone solution

Airborne’s standalone Automated Kitting solution enhances automated cutting by automating the kitting process. By working independently from the cutter, it is an ideal fit for an up and running facility with one or more cutters that is looking to increase its productivity and material utilization.

integrated solution

Airborne’s integrated Automated Kitting solution delivers all the advantages of the standalone solution, with the additional benefit of further reducing the manual labor content associated with the cutting and kitting process through integration of the cutter. As an end-to-end, material roll to ply kits process it is the ultimate kitting solution.

Request the Automated Kitting Solutions (standalone and integrated) – Technical Specifications to get more details about main properties, floor space utilisation etc.

Download the White paper by Jens de Kanter on Automated composite ply kitting and preforming

In this paper we take a look at the challenges for the industry, the traditional kitting process and the opportunities for and advantages of automating the kitting process. And, as a next step, we discuss how the automated kitting process could be extended to include preforming as well.

More automated solutions

Automated Honeycomb Potting

Our Honeycomb Potting solution enables easy manufacturing of locally reinforced honeycomb sandwich panels, while reducing work preparation, material waste and the cost of quality.

Automated Laminating

Our Laminating solution makes the layup of tailored thermoset prepreg preforms effortless, by combining tape laying, cutting, and pick & place in a single cell.

Automated Preforming

Our Preforming solution is the solution to manufacture tailored blanks or preforms, 100% netshape, and for all composite materials: thermoset prepreg, dry fibre or thermoplastic composites.