What is LATW/LATP?
Laser-assisted tape winding (LATW) and laser-assisted tape placement (LATP) are terms which describe the process of welding unidirectional-reinforced, thermoplastic pre-impregnated tapes using laser radiation as a heat source. Laser heating enables very accurate temperature control, thus enabling very high welding quality in one single process step, a so called in-situ consolidation. LATW/LATP is an out-of-autoclave production method for fiber-reinforced composites with input materials that don't need special storage, as well as output products that do not need post processing for consolidation.
What are applications of CFR-TP products?
Continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFR-TP) are a type of composite material with continuous fiber reinforcement in a thermoplastic matrix. Our automated systems allow very cost effective, high-volume production of tubular, thin-walled CFR-TP parts. Seven figure production volumes per annum can be achieved, including in-process quality control, part separation and more. Application examples include thin-walled sleeves, plain bearings, bushings and fittings. Crash profiles, thick-walled dynamic seals and pressure vessels are also applications, where thermoplastics have an advantage over metals, and can be effectively manufactured from very small to very large diameters.
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How can CFR-TP products be produced?
AFPT’s core technology are effector tools for robots, CNC or gantry systems that use laser radiation as a heat source to fully consolidate unidirectional thermoplastic tape in-situ through a winding or placement process. The tools can handle nearly all commercially available, black industrial tapes from glass fiber reinforced HDPE to carbon fiber reinforced PEEK. Production runs on a closed-loop control and logs all important process data for full traceability and quality evaluation of the production data. The in-situ consolidation allows for the cost-effective, high-volume production of composite parts.
What services can help with the development of CFR-TP products?
In our technical center in Dörth (near Koblenz), we develop thermoplastic composite components together with our customers. The spectrum ranges from simple rings as inserts for injection molding, to pipes and pressure vessels, as well as complex 3D curved components. With our R&D machines we have enough capacity and possibilities to convince you of the applicability of our technology. We support you in the production of the first prototypes and small series, develop the ideal production strategy with you and prove the machine capability.
