Cincinnati Machine (Hebron, Ky.) has introduced the new Charger Series of automated tape laying machines, which can lay 3-, 6- or 12-inch (75-, 150- or 300-mm) carbon/epoxy tape at any orientation and to any number of plies. The contour tape head used on the machines has been re-engineered for easy setup and operation and provides simplified side-loading of tape rolls up to 12 inches wide by 25.6 inches in diameter (300 mm by 650 mm). The head also features integrated ultrasonic laminate cutting, cutter depth-setting assistance and dockable inkjet marking. New low-rail gantry platforms are available in medium and large size ranges to match customer part size and floorspace requirements. The machines feature tape-deposit speeds of up to 2,000 in/min (50.8 m/min) and reportedly provide aerospace-grade placement accuracies on complex contours.