Cevotec Showcases Fiber Patch Placement for Complex Aerostructures at JEC World 2026

Munich, Germany – At JEC World 2026, Cevotec presents new Fiber Patch Placement (FPP) capabilities designed to help aerospace suppliers automate composite aerostructures that have remained manual despite years of automation efforts.

Positioned as the bridge between Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) and hand lay-up, Fiber Patch Placement enables robotic lamination for complex 3D geometries, variable thickness regions and mixed-material assemblies – applications that typically fall outside AFP’s process window and become production bottlenecks at scale.

Demonstrators targeting real production challenges

At the show, Cevotec introduces a new aerospace demonstrator highlighting advanced lay-up features representative of secondary aerostructures produced in series environments. This demonstrator showcases high-precision robotic placement on complex geometries, with fiber and patch architectures not achievable using continuous-tow AFP systems.

Beyond this new demonstrator, Cevotec draws on a portfolio of existing, application-driven aerospace demonstrators that underline the maturity of Fiber Patch Placement for complex aerostructures. These include:

• An HTP fairing demonstrator, developed together with GKN and other partners under a grant-supported-project, addressing complex geometry, local reinforcements and multi-material interfaces
• A radome-inspired demonstrator, illustrating controlled fiber architectures and robust material handling for demanding functional and structural requirements

These reference applications represent a broad range of high-value Tier 1 use cases, including radomes, nacelle structures, fairings, spar and rib reinforcements, and localized reinforcements in hybrid assemblies.

Supporting rate increases, cost targets and workforce resillence

By enabling automation where it previously failed, Fiber Patch Placement supports suppliers in addressing key industrialization pressures:

• Scaling to higher production rates for current and upcoming single-aisle programs
• Achieving cost and margin targets despite increasing volumes
• Improving first-pass quality and reducing scrap and rework
• Reducing reliance on manual, ergonomically challenging lay-up operations
• Strengthening their technological readiness for next-generation aircraft platforms

“FPP allows aerospace suppliers to automate exactly those composite parts that have had limited scalability in the past,” says Thorsten Groene, CEO at Cevotec. “It complements AFP by extending automation into complex aerostructures that are critical for production ramp-up and long-term competitiveness.”

Cevotec SAMBA systems, also as retrofit kit: FPP automation beyond AFP limits

Cevotec’s FPP technology is implemented on its SAMBA Series systems, combining high-rate robotic motion with precise placement of load-oriented fiber patches, in a variety of sizes. The systems support:

• Load-path aligned fiber architectures with adjustable gaps / overlaps
• High-precision direct 3D lay-up within tight tolerance on intricate surfaces
• Processing of difficult-to-handle materials, including dry fibers, prepregs, film adhesives and hybrid stacks
• Vision- and sensor-based real-time process monitoring for placement accuracy and quality assurance

This enables robust, repeatable automation for applications where previous automated lay-up approaches proved impractical. Based on a modular design approach, SAMBA Series systems can be configured and customized to match the application.

In addition to standard configurations for applications in aerospace and composite tank reinforcements, Cevotec introduces another innovation this year: A retrofit kit for existing robots, enabling access to FPP lay-up capabilities for user like R&D institutes and universities with compatible robots and small budgets.

Feasibility checks and ROI discussions at JEC World

Cevotec will offer free-of-charge FPP manufacturing feasibility checks during JEC World, enabling aerospace suppliers to quickly assess automation potential for specific parts. Detailed ROI evaluations can follow for shortlisted applications, supported by Cevotec’s engineering and industrialization experts.

Cevotec will be exhibiting at JEC World 2026 at booth 5M99. In addition to aerostructures, the company will also highlight localized reinforcement solutions for composite tanks and pressure vessels, applying Fiber Patch Placement to strengthen load-critical areas.

Tier 1 suppliers and OEM representatives interested in discussing specific applications are invited to book a meeting with the Cevotec team at JEC World

About Cevotec:

Cevotec is the leading provider of automation equipment based on Fiber Patch Placement (FPP) technology. Cevotec’s robotic lay-up systems and dedicated CAD-CAM software enable the efficient, automated production of complex, multi-material composite parts, serving industries such as aerospace and composite tanks. Cevotec’s commitment to innovation and sustainability drives its mission to empower manufacturers to build complex composites – in high volume and superior quality, worldwide.

Cevotec Contact
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