JEC World 2023 preview: Techni-Modul Engineering

Techni-Modul Engineering (Coudes, France) is exhibiting its Smart Control automatic solution, which brings artificial intelligence (AI) to composites layup control.

The technology aims to enable companies to meet challenging product requirements by automating kitting, stacking and layup of preforms and composite parts. Smart Control’s camera system, lighting and plug & play software enable control functions such as shape identification and recognition, fiber orientation control, ply positioning, gap and/or overlap detection as well as foreign object debris (FOD) and defect detection on composite materials.

SMART Control is said to guarantee manufacturing quality, accuracy, repeatability and process times for automation. It was initially developed for the aerospace industry but can also be introduced to any other composites sector in which high-rate kitting, stacking and preform lay-up of unidirectional (UD) or woven materials are required.

Key features include:

• 100% approved quality
• Identification and shape recognition (DXF matching)
• Control of fiber orientation with an accuracy of ± 0.3° 
• Control of the plies position with an accuracy of 0.25mm (DXF matching)
• Detection of gaps and/or overlaps between 2 plies of the same layer (DXF matching)
• Detection of FOD > Ø 3 mm
• Recognition of defects on composite materials