SAMBA Series – automated 3D fiber lay-up production platforms

SAMBA Series: SAMBA Multi, SAMA Scale, SAMBA Pro, SAMBA Step

The Fiber Patch Placement systems of the SAMBA Series are your flexible, automated production platforms for challenging fiber lay-ups.

Fully automated and programmed with ARTIST STUDIO software and equipped with a fast-mounting tool interface, SAMBA systems act as your economical production platform for a variety of parts.

Customized to your part size and materials

Sizes

Highly scalable. It is additive manufacturing in “sensible increments”, depending on your component. We implement FPP technology with small patches of 20 mm x 40 mm up to large patches of 200 mm x 300 mm and beyond..

Materials

SAMBA Series platforms work with a range of different dry-fiber and thermoset prepreg materials of all major material suppliers, covering areal weights of 80 gsm to 300 gsm and beyond.

Customization

Speak to us for an individual implementation of Fiber Patch Placement. Together with our Partner Baumann Automation, we provide turnkey production lines in any dimension you require.

SAMBA Series modules

Module 1: Feeding & cutting units

Modules for tape feeding and cutting differ according materials processed.Up to 4 parallel tapes with different materials in feeding unit possible. Ultrasonic or laser cutting. Customizations upon request.

SAMBA Multi

  • Tape width: to specification
  • Areal weight: to specification
  • Automated feeder supplying 4 tapes in parallel
  • Ultrasonic or laser cutting
  • Visual quality inspection

SAMBA Pro

  • Tape width: 12.5 – 50 mm
  • Areal weight: < 300 gsm
  • One sensor-controlled tape feeder
  • Ultrasonic or laser cutting
  • Visual quality inspection

SAMBA Scale

  • Tape width: > 50 mm
  • Areal weight: > 250 gsm
  • One sensor-controlled tape feeder
  • Ultrasonic or laser cutting
  • Visual quality inspection

SAMBA Step

  • Manual placement of pre-cut patches on trays
  • Maximum material flexibility
  • Patch size depend only on gripper size
  • Visual position recognition
  • Visual quality inspection

Feeding and cutting units are adapted to a range of suitable materials according to applications.

Module 2: Placement units

Placement modules individually designed to fit specific applications. Standard robots: Stäubli, Kuka. Additional brands on request. Linear axis for extended reach optional.

Linear axis large

    • Linear axis for feeding unit in combination with 6-axis robot
    • Size of robot & gripper specific to application
    • Positioning control unit for precise patch deposition
    • Integrated heating for prepreg processing
    • Best choice for large parts with > 2m in width
    • Illustration: SAMBA Multi

Scara fast-picker

  • Fast-picker for shortest placement cycle time
  • Positioning control unit for precise patch deposition
  • Integrated heating for prepreg processing
  • Good choice for medium to smaller sized parts with high to medium complexity
  • Illustration: SAMBA Pro

Linear axis small

  • Linear axis for placement robot only
  • Size of robot & gripper specific to application
  • Positioning control unit for precise patch deposition
  • Integrated heating for prepreg processing
  • Best choice for larger, complex parts with multiple placement robots
  • Illustration: SAMBA Scale

6-axis robot

  • Most flexible robot choice
  • Size adapted to application range
  • Position accuracy control for patch deposition
  • Integrated heating for prepreg processing
  • Illustration: SAMBA Step

Placement units can be flexibility combined with feeding and cutting Units.

Module 3: Tool holders and manipulators

Tool holders and manipulators are specific to each application and can be exchanged easily on each system. Options with standardized quick-mount tooling systems available for flexible production settings.

Tool holder (large)

  • Individual tool holder
  • Adapted to component
  • Degrees of freedom according to specification
  • Typically combined with 6-axis placement robot on linear axis
  • Illustration: SAMBA Multi

6-axis robot

  • Flexible tool holder for medium to smaller parts
  • Can be combined with any placement robot
  • Illustration: SAMBA Pro

Tool rotator

  • Rotating tool holder
  • Adapted to component
  • Degrees of freedom according to specification
  • Typically combined with 6-axis placement robot
  • Illustration: SAMBA Scale

Tool table

  • Fixed tool holder
  • Size adapted to component
  • Typically combined with 6-axis placement robot
  • Illustration: SAMBA Step

Linear table tool

  • Movable table for 2D patch placement
  • Can be combined with 6-axis robot for automation
  • Size adapted to specification

Other options

  • Upon request

Tool manipulators specific to components – quick-mount tooling options for flexible production available.

Industry 4.0 automation with Fiber Patch Placement

Continuous process & quality control with a multitude of integrated sensor for key process parameters.

Controlled tape feeding

  • Temperature for material storage
  • Tensions-controlled tape pull-off
  • Automatic tape positioning to centricity

Vision control patch

  • Width
  • Length
  • Cutting edge
  • Waviness

Vision control patch position

  • Position
  • Orientation
  • Self-correction process for precise Deposition

Station for in-process gripper exchange

  • Automated detection for contamination

Controlled deposition process

  • Temperature
  • Pressure
  • Compaction time
  • Detailed time stamps from pick-up to Deposition

Global parameters

  • Temperature & humidity in manufacturing cell
  • Frequency of patch
    deposition
  • Cycle time
  • Mass throughput

Objective: Replace individual unit tests by continuous process monitoring.

SAMBA Series systems

SAMBA Scale

Key features

  • Scaled configuration for high fiber throughput
  • Patch grippers in DIN-A5 and DIN-A4 sizes
  • Fiber throughput ~ 15 kg/h per feeding unit
  • Integrated gripper station for changing gripper sizes in process
  • Multitude of sensors for comprehensive process monitoring

 

Application focus

  • Complex 3D shapes of large to medium-size
  • High material throughput requirements
SAMBA Scale

Application areas

  • Automotive: Battery boxes, roof rails, window frames, hoods, spoilers
  • Aerospace: 90°/±45° layers in spars, battery boxes, panel reinforcements

 

SAMBA Scale Line

  • Line configuration with high throughput of > 100 kg/h
SAMBA Scale Line

SAMBA Pro

Key features

  • Fast SCARA robot for fiber placement
  • Precise 6-axis robot for tool manipulation
  • Smaller patch sizes adapted to geometrical complexity
  • Fiber throughput ~ 2-3 kg/h with thin ply tape
  • Fast and easy tool change system
  • Multitude of sensors for comprehensive process monitoring
  • Optional: Integrated gripper station for changing gripper sizes in process

Application focus

  • Flexible batch production of multiple products
  • Medium-sized to smaller parts of high geometrical complexity
  • Reinforcements of larger parts

Application areas

  • Aerospace: Window frames, reinforcement patches
  • Automotive: Spoilers, decoration parts, A/B/C-pillar structures
  • Medical: Prosthetics, orthotics
  • Sports: Snowboard and ski reinforcements
SAMBA Pro

SAMBA Step

Key features

  • R&D-focused, low-investment patch placement system
  • Flexible degree of automation
  • Individual robot configuration, up to 12 axes
  • Fiber throughput ~ 500 g/h
  • Fast and easy tool change system
  • Optional: Sensors to monitor production process

Application focus

  • Prototyping and product development in R&D departments, institutes and universities
SAMBA Step

SAMBA Multi configuration example

Key features

  • Multiple feeding units for parallel processing of up to 4 different materials
  • Automated change of tapes
  • Direct fiber lay-up of complex 3D & 2D laminates
  • 6-axis robot with large reach for fiber placement
  • Individual tool manipulators
  • Linear rail for production of large components (optional)
  • Patch grippers scaled to DIN-A5 and DIN-A4 sizes
  • Integrated gripper station for changing gripper sizes in process
  • Cooled material storage for prepreg material
  • Seamless integration of machine in ARTIST STUDIO software
  • Multitude of sensors for comprehensive process monitoring
  • Seamless quality protocol of process parameters
  • 100% in-process, self-corrective tape quality inspection & position accuracy control
  • High accuracy of fiber deposition

Process specifications

  • Tape configuration: 50 mm – 200 mm
  • Min/Max patch length: 100 mm – 300 mm
  • Maximum placement cycle time: 4 s
  • Fiber throughput: ~ 15 kg/h per unit
  • Spool change: < 5 min
  • Tape accuracy inspection: < 0,25 mm
  • Patch cutting repeatability: < 0,5 mm
  • Placement accuracy: < 0,5 mm
  • Vision inspection: 12 MP camera resolution
  • Cutting: Ultrasonic knife
  • Compaction force & momentum control: Up to 2.800 N und 120 Nm
  • Patch heating: Infrared heating up to 200°C
  • Patch surface temperature control: < 5°C
  • Material storage cooling: Minimum 8°C
  • Backing film: Rewinding unit
  • Spool diameter: 450 mm
  • Tape volume per spool: 400 m – 600 m
  • Tape tension: Magnetic break
  • Touch HMI: Advanced production management

Options

  • Photonic heating for carbon material: LED light
  • Automated patch gripper exchange rig: Up to 3 gripper sizes
  • Laser cutting device: 100 W, diode laser
  • Dust and gas suction: Appropriate filters according to material spec
  • Spool diameter: 500 mm; 590 mm; 630 mm
  • Tension controlled tape feeding: Electronic controlled breaking
  • Material traceability: Bar code scanner

Cell configuration

  • Placement robot: 6-DOF stand-alone robot
  • Linear axis: Length to specification
  • Additional axis mold manipulator: To specification; 1–3 DOF positioners
  • Mold weight acceptable: Up to 3 t

Main components

  • Robots: Stäubli, Kuka, other brands on request
  • Controller: Siemens, Beckhoff
  • SAMBA cell: Baumann, Cevotec
  • Patch gripper: Cevotec

Software support

  • Patch & tape laminate design software: PATCH ARTIST & TAPE ARTIST
  • Offline programming software: MOTION ARTIST
  • FEA simulation software: ARTIST STUDIO Plug-in for HyperMeshTM

Materials

  • Dry carbon fiber: 40 gsm – 300 gsm
  • Dry glass fiber: 40 gsm – 300 gsm
  • Dry aramid fiber: On request
  • Other technical fibers: On request
  • Thermoset carbon prepreg: 40 gsm – 300 gsm
  • Thermoset glass prepreg: 40 gsm – 300 gs
  • Thermoset adhesive film: 100 gsm – 200 gsm
  • Thermoset metal fabric: On request

Application focus

  • Large, complex 3D / 2D components
  • Multi-material placement
  • Fiber Placement on sandwich cores

Industry-specific examples

  • Aerospace: Control surfaces, nacelle structures, radomes, battery boxes, bulkheads
  • Automotive: Fiber-metal reinforcement

Key advantages

  • 24/7 fully automated series production of complex 3D geometries
  • Combination of different materials or tape geometries within one part
  • High productivity, especially on strongly curved surfaces
  • Very low material scrap, weight and cost through additive manufacturing
  • High stiffness and strength of parts through load-adjusted fiber orientation
  • In-process, self-regulatory quality inspection with full documentation
SAMBA Multi
Download SAMBA Multi datasheet

Features and benefits

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    Complex geometries

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    Flexible fiber orientation

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    Continuous quality documentation

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    Highest mechanical properties

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    Less material,
    lower weight

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    Unique design possibilities

End-to-end automation for dry fiber preforming

After fiber lay-up, an additional robot detaches the inherently stable laminates automatically from the tool and moves them to the next processing step.

Our partner

We manufacture the SAMBA production system in cooperation with Baumann Automation. With more than 20 years of experience in complex robotic applications, Baumann is the ideal partner for our high-performance, efficient and reliable production machine SAMBA.

Convince yourself and let’s arrange a live demonstration at our facilities!

You got questions?

contact-us

Save 20-60% production cost and time – contact us to discuss your ideal SAMBA configuration.
We offer a cost-free evaluation and economic analysis for your application with FPP.