Laser guided Prepreg Layups
Laser guided Prepreg Layups
(OP)
The company I work is looking to invest in a laser projection system for prepreg layups. We manufacture composite parts for aircraft interiors. Does anyone have any recommendations or experience in these systems and how much they would cost?





RE: Laser guided Prepreg Layups
RE: Laser guided Prepreg Layups
We also used them when a ply locating template (PLT) was not advisable due to size/complexity/ and handling limitations.
They were very expensive (need to eliminate a large number of PLTs to justify the already sunk cost versus time savings etc.
Our operators thought they were cool at first until they realized the tool had to lock down to floor for consistant imaging. This may be an issue that has since been overcome - It was years ago for me.
Bottom line - While cool from a techno geek standpoint they did not seem to be "That Much" better than good ole PLTS. for parts up to the size of say an interior wall panel.
Last note: You have me curious - are the plies in your interiaor components that complex? Seems to me most Brand B interiors were one - two full plies some kinda core and more full skin plies. Very few "located plies were used. Not sure of your application. I am referring to the major interior pieces, walls, bins, seems as I recall that floor panels got fancier than that.
Good Luck!
Composites and Airplanes - what was I thinking?
There are gremlins in the autoclave!
RE: Laser guided Prepreg Layups
RE: Laser guided Prepreg Layups
I am not sure how much those systems cost anymore. When I did this they were very spendy. Probably a lot cheaper now.
I do also recall that we had to think through carefully where we put them in the shop for part flow, lighting etc.
Once they were set it was a pain to move them and the projector to the lay up mold relationship was an important consideration.
Since the systems I played with were in their infacy then I would suggest getting as much freedom in that arena you can from the System Manufacturer. It caused us no end of grief.
Our application was Nacelle fixed and door panels that had a lot of very busy features, we were limited to the number of stations where we could use the laser projector. Our factory had multiple lay up rooms and our executives liked to shuffle things around which meant we broke down the original set up and moved it three or four times. It would take us the better part of a week to reset the system in its new location. (Again this is ancient history)
Changes to the actual projected ply locating lines did go pretty quick when we needed them.
Have bunches of fun!
Composites and Airplanes - what was I thinking?
There are gremlins in the autoclave!
RE: Laser guided Prepreg Layups
RE: Laser guided Prepreg Layups