Fibre-reinforced composites are among the materials of the future. The composites are in demand thanks to their slight weight and enormous durability not only in the aerospace industry. The automobile industry, mechanical and plant engineering, and wind energy technology have high expectations for this material. The turnover trend for lightweight construction parts is already pointing up sharply. With their automated manufacture, composite parts are finally going to soar to new heights. Consequently, AUTOMATICA 2012, which will take place on the grounds of the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from 22 to 25 May, has declared "Automated Composite Production" as one of its major topics. The International Trade Fair for Automation and Mechatronics is going to contribute with a great variety of events to master the challenge of automated production of lightweight construction parts made of fibre-reinforced materials.

Lightweight construction is a special trend that is present in many production areas and is recording enormous growth. According to the estimates of experts, the turnover volume of fibre-reinforced materials - including mainly carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) - will double to 14 billion euros by the year 2015. Biggest drawback: They still have to be produced manually for the most part. In aerospace industry and racing, where CFRP components are only required in small series, the expensive production mode only plays a subordinate role.

However, the case is different when composite parts are required in large series, for example, in automotive engineering. Lightweight construction parts are especially extremely significant for the electric vehicles of the future, but they will only be affordable if they can be produced and assembled in an automated mode. No wonder that great efforts have been undertaken over the past years to advance automated production and assembly of lightweight components.

Pioneering Spirit among Mechanical and Plant Engineers

Reliable processes with short cycle times and a high degree of reproducible precision are required for use in series production to produce large numbers of pieces inexpensively. The challenges of such automated composite component production are complex, because automation concerns the flexible weaving or machine knitting of moulded parts, cutting the fibre or composite plates, inserting, pressing and removing parts, composite technologies (laminating, injecting, straight vacuum forming and gluing) as well as handling between the processing centres and assembly of the components. In addition, industrial online quality assurance procedures are required.

Numerous mechanical and plant engineers are equipping themselves to take a place in this pivotal market of the future and are developing systems for automated production of composite components. The technological approaches come from different industries such as the textile machine industry and metal and plastic processing. However, complete concepts suitable for industrial use are still rare.

Special Exhibition "Automated Composite Production" Shows All Aspects

Those responsible at AUTOMATICA have decided to put the strengths of the whole automation trade fair at the service of automated composite production. The topic "Automated Production of Lightweight Components" is to be displayed with the know-how from the areas of assembly and handling technology, robotics, and machine vision.

Armin Wittmann, Exhibition Director of AUTOMATICA, explained: "AUTOMATICA 2012 is presenting automation concepts for the complete process chain with the new special exhibition 'Automated Composite Production'. It provides platforms for experts to share ideas with one another as well as with decision-makers and those responsible for production in the user industries. Knowledge transfer between equipment suppliers, automation specialists and users is a central aspect for the fast market spread of composite components."

To demonstrate the current trends in automated composite production comprehensively, AUTOMATICA has put together a multipart package of measures. Exhibition Director Armin Wittmann is convinced that the new exhibition area will be a great attraction for exhibitors and visitors thanks to an attractive supporting program. "The highlights include, for example, the 'Automated Composite Production Innovation Area', where we show automated fibre-reinforced production solutions in live operation in collaboration with research institutes."

Additional information about AUTOMATICA 2012: www.automatica-muenchen.com