Automation in Composites
Plant tour: FACC AG, Jakovlje, Croatia
Part of its long-term global strategy, Plant 6 is not just a single facility, but FACC’s Aircraft Interiors Center of Excellence, key for increased production, new composite technology for interiors flexibility and future growth.
Ginger Gardiner
Executive Editor, CompositesWorld
U.K. Opens COMPASS Facility, Supercharging Aerospace Composites Manufacturing Efforts
The AMRC’s £54 million COMPASS offers an open-access R&D infrastructure with Industry 4.0 digital tools, robotic preforming and a 2,400-tonne RTM press helping manufacturers and SMEs compete in global aerospace supply chains and de-risk, accelerate high-rate production.
Read MoreFACC Expansion Adds Digital Twins, ATL, AFP and Pick-and-Place Cells for Aerostructures
SNAPSHOT: Plant 3 adds 40,000 square meters plus digital workflows and automation for growth in composites and other parts production capabilities/capacity.
Read MoreMARTAC Forms Co-Production Partnership With Composites Fabricator Mystic Powerboats for USVs
Autonomous maritime expertise and advanced composites manufacturing are being combined to accelerate MARTAC’s capacity and delivery timelines for U.S. and allied customers.
Read MoreEpisode 57: Francesco De Stefano, Caracol
Caracol’s CEO and co-founder discusses how robotic LFAM is scaling composites production — from aerospace tooling to end-use maritime parts — and what AI-driven automation means for the industry’s future.
Read MoreFraunhofer IFAM completes HYTANK research on cryogenic CFRP hydrogen tanks
The project, led by Airbus Operations GmbH, produced surface pretreatment, barrier coating and automated assembly processes for large-format, double-walled LH₂ tank structures targeting aviation applications.
Read MoreMSP enables Pentaxia to eliminate composite part concessions, reduce production time by 50%
PerfectPart metrology solutions turned a time-consuming, high-risk and high-pressure process into a more reliable, automated machining strategy.
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AES explores robot vs. gantry for large-format additive manufacturing
Additive Engineering Solutions, specialist at 3D printing very large parts and tools on gantry machines, now also uses a robot for large-format AM. Here is how the robot compares.
Peter Zelinski
Former Editor-in-Chief, Additive Manufacturing
ORNL develops error correction system to enhance 3D printing of large composite parts
Material and system agnostic sensors and computer vision automate printing speed and temperature monitoring and are able to make on-the-fly adjustments without human interaction.
Read MoreROMAIN project validates robotic, prepreg patch repair for wind turbine blades
A developed prepreg-based patching system achieved an estimated 50% reduction in lamination and curing time compared to manual repair techniques, with field validation completed on operating turbines in Spain.
Read MoreThe high-rate imperative
SAMPE 2026 reinforced the composites industry’s new central challenge: Producing advanced materials fast enough, consistently and at scale.
Read MoreCevotec advances robotic lamination to close automation gap in complex composite aerostructures
Robotic lamination approaches and retrofit solutions extend automation to geometries beyond conventional AFP.
Read MoreShenyang Institute of Automation proposes carbon fiber/PEEK 3D printing and welding for on-orbit structures
Verified through a scaled-down prototype, the technology represents a growing body of work seeking to overcome logistical and cost barriers of in-space manufacturing.
Read MoreCoriolis partners with machine expert Perellion to support U.S. operations
The French fiber placement systems company aims to locally reinforces its U.S. customer service and support capabilities.
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Increased molding productivity via additive manufacturing
Companies in multiple segments turn to 3D printing for end-of-arm tools, fixtures for increased safety and functionality, lower cost and faster turnaround times.
Peggy Malnati
MMT, Contributing Writer, MoldMaking Technology
Engel develops automated high-rate process for TPC drone blades
SNAPSHOT: Thermoplastic composite UD tapes placed along load paths and overmolded in a single cycle achieve lightweight structure with functional integration, ready for mass production.
Read MoreComposites End Markets: Aviation and Advanced Air Mobility (2026)
Market outlook highlights commercial, defense and bizjet upturn, shift to Asia/rise of India while supply chain struggles to meet rate, AAM begins pivot toward commercial routes plus trends in civil UAS, electric aircraft and the latest in composites developments.
Read MoreTANIQ launches further multi-process manufacturing solution with rubber winding for composites
Single cell and software environment enable lightweight applications such as pressure vessels, canisters, rocket motor cases and airframe components.
Read MoreOTOMcomposite web-based platform enhances AFP process modeling
SNAPSHOT: OTOM is driven by industry needs to make the AFP digital twin more accessible, efficient and powerful.
Read MoreWemech BladeScanner concept shifts composites NDT toward standardized, data-supported workflows
Wemech launches an experimental acoustic-analysis program for composite airfoil profile structures to enable more reliable, scalable and digitally traceable inspection solutions, and seeks development partners.
Read MoreFACC to set up additional high-tech plant by 2029, doubling current aerostructure capacity
Increased structural component production rates for existing and future projects will benefit from the St. Martin site in Upper Austria, which will operate with a high degree of automation and novel technologies.
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Modular, robotic cells enable high-rate RTM using any material format
Airborne’s automated ply placement systems at Airbus, GKN Aerospace and Teijin Automotive Technologies aim to maximize flexibility and intelligent automation.
Stewart Mitchell
Technical Writer
Loop Technology robotic systems address confined space inspection, high deposition rates
JEC World 2026: On display and in action is the Bravura snake arm robot that has been created to introduce automation into tight, restricted spaces, and the FibreForm 3D conformal pick-and-place end effector.
Read MoreCygnet Texkimp spotlights fiber processing solutions for high-performance composites
JEC World 2026: ART high-rate fiber deposition, 3D weaving creel technologies and a Factory of the Future-focused AGV system support fiber handling, processing capabilities.
Read MoreEnabling thermoplastic composites with towpreg tailored for automation
As Suprem SA prepares for its 40th year in TPC materials and entry into the U.S. aerospace market, CW learns more about this company renowned for quality and its vision to deliver new products.
Read MoreEurope Technologies Group demonstrates scope of Oratech, Sonimat and GEBE2 brands
JEC World 2026: Whether modernizing parts production, integrating automation and machinery or international MRO services, Europe Technologies supports R&D to industrialization.
Read MoreBonded fastening meets the digital factory
Automation and XR tools aim to scale adhesive fastening for composites at next-gen aerospace production rates.
Read MoreSchrödinger 2026-1 software release enhances atomic-scale materials analysis, design capabilities
Scientific capabilities, usability improvements and performance enhancements, including automated analysis workflow and refined ML solutions, are available to R&D materials users.
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