Marine

Composite Systems, Inc.

Aerospace, Automotive, Industrial and Marine Robotic Systems Integration

Best viewed with Internet Explorer

Composite Systems, Inc. provides "turn-key" solutions for the aerospace, automotive, industrial and marine industries worldwide....

Composite Systems, Inc. (CSI) manufactures a gantry cell specifically for the marine industry. This system has been designed to accommodate the variety of tasks associated with the construction and fabrication of boat hulls, decks and stringer assemblies. It provides for the placement of core materials in concert with the layup regime, providing continuous operation. Molds may be mobile and brought in to the cell or the gantry system itself may be mobile, allowing for the repositioning of the system in different fabrication bays within the facility.

The system will enhance the production and quality of layup in both 'open mold' and 'closed mold' processes, including RTM and VARTM, as the PFE technology lends itself to the placement of 'dry' materials. Furthermore, the system may incorporate either UV or IR curing technology, offering rapid and/or 'on-the-fly' curing during the layup regime.

Because of the hardware features and system components, machining, sanding and finishing of the plugs and molds may be performed within the cell. Through 'off-line' programming capabilities, solid models of the hull, deck and stringer assemblies may be programmed, generating cycle times before production begins. The 'twin-rail' bridge offers greater stability and payload, especially when the system employs the multi-stage Z-axis.

KUKA K210 robot inverted on CSI's proprietary 'telescopic' z-axis, 3-axis gantry robot platform. (www.kukarobotics.com)

System Capabilities and Options

Gantry Cell sizes:
- 'X'-axis rails (floor) 150+ meters
- 'Y'-axis (bridge) 75+ meters
- 'Z'-axis (vertical) 45+ meters (Note: This is made possible by means of a proprietary 'telescopic multi-stage' counter balanced mast assembly system.)
Positioning Devices:
- CSI can provide multi-axis positioners that may work in the positioning of the blade plugs and molds within the cell.
- Head and Tail Stock Positioner (coordinated, simultaneous or indexing motion) in excess of 30,000 kg.
- Turret (rotating) floor positioner in excess of 30,000 kg. Diameters to customer specification.
Tool Crib:
- The tool crib may be set up with the following equipment with 'quick change' hardware for the robot:
- PFE Technology Please see Published Articles
  - As described the PFE is capable of performing layup in 'wet', dry and prepreg configurations.
- High Speed Spindle - for machining, routing, drilling, tapping - tool changer equipped
- Force Sensing Feed Back head - buffing, polishing, sanding, deburing, grinding - tool changer equipped
- Coatings Application:
  - Gelcoat System
  - Mold release agents
  - Primer / Paint
- Grippers:
  - These devices will be available to the robot(s) via 'quick change' hardware. They may be configured to supply core, imbeds, or hardware during the layup regime. These materials will be supplied to the cell by means of 'magazines' located about the cell perimeter.
Dust Extraction System:
- Dust from the various options selected above will be removed at the point of generation and contained for safe removal.
Integrated Curing Systems:
- UV, IR