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 sorting 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.
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.
Our Honeycomb Potting solution enables easy manufacturing of locally reinforced honeycomb sandwich panels, while reducing work preparation, material waste and the cost of quality.
Our Laminating solution makes the layup of tailored thermoset prepreg preforms effortless, by combining tape laying, cutting, and pick & place in a single cell.
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.