http://www.mag-ias.com/ MAG IAS News Feed de http://www.mag-ias.com/typo3conf/ext/tt_news/ext_icon.gif http://www.mag-ias.com/ 18 16 MAG IAS News Feed TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Mon, 13 May 2013 09:36:00 +0200 http://www.mag-ias.com/en/mag-news/press-archive/archive/archive2/press-archive/2011/article/article/major-tool-machine-adds-large-part-production-capacity-with-order-for-mag-machine-tools-and-retrof.html New machines include MAG's VTC 2500 and U5 XL 2500 universal portal mill with turning capabilities. Massive DSI mill/turn machine will also be retrofitted with new MAG U6 cross saddle and ram, multiple cutting heads, and Siemens 840D sl CNC Major Tool & Machine lives up to its name with a multi-million-dollar order for large-part machining systems from MAG IAS that includes a new VTC 2500, a new U5 XL 2500 universal portal mill with turning capabilities, and a rebuild/retrofit of a DSI mill/turn gantry machine. In addition to milling, the U5 will provide large-part turning with an integrated 4-meter (13 ft) rotary table. Major Tool's existing DSI machine will be retrofitted with a new cross saddle and ram from the MAG U6 line, along with five interchangeable cutting heads and Siemens 840D sl CNC. Indianapolis-based Major Tool & Machine is one of North America's largest contract producers of massive fabrications and machined parts, serving elite companies and agencies with products and services that meet the highest industry requirements. Its quality certifications include AS9100 and ISO 9001, as well as multiple stamps for production and inspection of pressure vessels, boilers and nuclear equipment. "Our niche is very large parts made of exotic materials, such as Inconel®, Waspalloy®, Hastelloy®, and similar metals," said Steve Weyreter, Chairman and CEO of Major Tool. "We are one of the few North American shops that can turn parts as large as 43 feet in diameter, and we combine this with certified capabilities for welding and fabrication with exotic materials."
According to Weyreter, the new U5 machine will initially replace production capacity during the rebuild of Major Tool's massive DSI gantry mill/turn machine. "This is an extremely complex project that involves much more than simply adding machine tools, because it is critical that we maintain our large-part mill/turn capacity when the DSI machine goes offline," he said. "Part of our reputation is based on the depth of our capacity, so coordination and timing are vital when we take a critical machine offline. For a complex project requiring this level of management, engineering and technical resources, we preferred to work with a domestic source, and we have a long, successful history with MAG. This will also be a joint project to a great extent where our own staff will be heavily involved in the work."


Newest/largest U5 portal mill introduced

The rail-type U5 XL 2500 will introduce the newest and largest model of the U5 portal mill series, continuing the expansion of the Cincinnati U5 line that was launched more than a decade ago. Major Tool's U5 XL 2500 will be equipped with a 2.5-m (8.2 ft) Z-axis ram and multiple automatically changed cutting heads for five-axis and complex-geometry machining of large, tall parts. Configured with 22 m (72 ft) of X-axis rail, the machine's X range can be lengthened in 3.6 m (12 ft) increments. Y-axis range is 5,000 mm (196.85 inches). Machining heads purchased by Major Tool include a turning head with Sandvik Coromant® Capto C8 tool interface, and 5-axis gimbal, vertical and horizontal heads with CAT 50 Big Plus tool interface. Dual-range 52-kW (70 hp) spindles enable aggressive cutting in difficult materials. MAG will configure the machine for integration of a 4-m (13 ft) rotary table to be purchased by Major Tool, and then install the table and drive. Upon acceptance of the U5 machine, MAG technicians will begin rebuild/retrofit of the DSI in Major Tool's plant.
As part of the rebuild/retrofit of the DSI (Dörries Scharmann) mill/turn gantry machine, MAG will adapt a new cross saddle – including a U6 2.5-meter ram with integrated C axis – to the machine's existing cross rail. The saddle and ram modules will be unit-assembled at MAG's Hebron, KY, plant, complete with utilities, plumbing and wiring, prior to shipment and installation. The ram has a robust cross section of 697 mm (27.4 in) by 769 mm (30.3 in) to withstand high cutting forces during heavy metal removal. "These new modules need to interface precisely with the existing way/bearing systems and drives on the DSI machine, so it's a significant engineering and installation challenge," said Randal Von Moll, MAG Director of Technical Sales. Five interchangeable U6 cutting heads for the machine include vertical milling (97 kW/130 hp), vertical offset (37 kW/50 hp), right-angle milling (97 kW/130 hp), 5-axis gimbal (52 kW/70 hp) and turning.
The retrofit also includes a five-position head changing stand, new distance-coded X-Y-W scales, a new 60-pocket tool changer and Renishaw spindle probe and laser toolsetter. Distance-coded scales minimize the axis travel (and time) needed to re-home, aiding in shortened cycle times, according to Von Moll. The machine's 6-m (19.7 ft) rotary table will be equipped with a new electric motor/drive as part of the Siemens CNC retrofit, then tuned to make it position more quickly and accurately. As a final step, MAG service engineers will check and correct the machine's geometric alignments, calibrate the axes, and conduct circle/diamond/square and horsepower test cuts. "The updated machine modules, new CNC, servomotors and drives will result in machine performance that will exceed what this machine could do when it was new," Von Moll added.
The MAG (Giddings & Lewis) VTC 2500 is engineered to make short work of large-part turning for a variety of industries, offering multiprocessing machining capabilities with high-end specifications like ±1,560 mm (61 in) of full X-axis travel left/right of center, 2,755 mm (108.5 in) rail height, 2,700 mm swing and 84-kW (112.6 hp) table drive. The VTC 2500 accepts modular Capto C8 tooling. Major Tool added versatility to the machine with a 90-degree live spindle and an angular indexing head, both housed in the tool magazine for automatic changing into the new MAG SL 250 adaptor. ]]> 2013-MAG Mon, 13 May 2013 09:36:00 +0200 http://www.mag-ias.com/en/mag-news/press-archive/archive/archive2/press-archive/2011/article/article/new-nbh-1000-completes-third-generation-of-hueller-hille-nbh-series-at-mag.html Göppingen, April 19, 2013 - Some 40 years after the first Hüller Hille NC nb-h 70 machining center (photo 1) and the legendary nb-h 90 to nb-h 260 series which resulted from it, a complete series of horizontal machining centers with pallet sizes of 500 x 500 mm to 1,000 x 1,250 mm are now available from MAG.
The modern and innovative production methods in the MAG plant in Mosbach were crucial for building the new series on two platforms. From the NBH 500 up to and including the NBH 630, the centers are mounted quickly and inexpensively in a flowline (photo 2). Due to their size alone, the big NBH models are built using materials arranged to be delivered "just-in-time" in a sequential box assembly (photo 3). The basic design of all NBH models, however, is always in line with the jig boring machine principle. That means that the workpiece moves in Z-axis direction as is the case in precision boring machines.

Longterm precision due to cast iron machine bed and robust guideway system

The basis for reliable machining processes is the heavily ribbed, one-piece machine bed in cast iron design with high damping properties. The robust guideway system is a further factor, adding to the proverbial MAG Hüller Hille machining quality. All linear axes are equipped with generously spaced guideways. These preloaded, backlash-free linear guiding units, with wide guideway spacing stocked with cylindrical rollers (photo 4), ensure high rigidity and load capacity. They provide dynamic traveling speeds and stick-slip-free position movements with high positioning and circular accuracy. The long service life of these components has a positive impact when taking into account the NBH life cycle costs which are increasingly significant when it comes to making investment decisions. A distance-coded, direct distance measurement system is integrated into the rail guide. However, absolute glass scales are available as an option for all NBH sizes. Special emphasis was put on fast and reliable chip removal. 4 robust spiral conveyors are used on the NBH 800/NBH 1000 so that large machining volumes can be easily processed (photo 5). To optimize the customer's setup situation, chips can be removed towards either the front or the back.


Intelligent drives

Today, modern high-performance machine tools are equipped with digital axis drives. The complete position control with subordinate support and diagnostic functions are transferred from the CNC to the drive. In the NBH series, maintenance-free, brushless, digitally controlled three-phase servo motors in completely closed design (photo 6) are used. In general, power is transmitted directly onto the precision ball screw spindles with star couplers. For better damping and a reduced noise level, these star couplers are made of special plastic.

When it comes to acceleration values, the respective NBH centers are always the best. With a special option package and corresponding construction of the ball screw drive, accelerations of up to 10 m/s² can be realized.
Better dynamics due to rotary tables with torque drive

Advanced new paths are also being forged with rotary tables. Gone are the days of the Hirth and rotary tables with worm drives. The future belongs to rotary tables with very high acceleration and dynamics run directly with a torque drive (photo 7). An absolute encoder ensures precise positioning and better repeatability. When production starts or after an emergency stop, time-consuming referencing is not necessary since the exact position is always known. The serviceability is also a big advantage of this new table drive. In contrast to conventional worm or bevel gear drives, oil lubrication can be omitted. The direct drive is absolutely free of backlash, which means there is no wear. Maintenance expenditures for oil lubrication and readjustment due to wear become unnecessary. The use of identical parts throughout the entire series also makes it possible to keep the supply of spare parts manageable.

The number of torque tables already employed at MAG has proven that, because of the reduced positioning times and high clamping forces, advantages compared to conventional drives exist.

Two index bolts on the table pre-position the pallet after changing. Four conical clamping cones ensure precise positioning and high repeatability when clamping the pallet. The clamping cones are blown out and rinsed after the pallet has been lifted.  

Fast 180° pallet changer

Up to pallet size 1000 x 1000 mm, fast 180° swivel pallet changers are generally used (photo 8). This results in a significant reduction in pallet changing times even with the larger machines. For example, a direct comparison of a NBH 290 from the predecessor series with a linear pallet changer and the NBH 800 shows that the pallet changing time has almost been halved from approx. 39 to approx. 20 seconds.

The pallet setup station can be rotated smoothly by 360°. This also makes elaborate clamping devices fully accessible. A pneumatic setup station lock every 90° facilitates setup work.

The setup station and the table can be equipped with a 2-way or 6-way hydraulic clamping system for automatically actuating the clamping devices. The feed lines can be laid either pneumatically or hydraulically, depending on the requirements.

Engine and gear spindles from our own production facilities

Thanks to a comprehensive range of engine and gear spindles with production-optimized speed variants and a wide range of torque, any NBH can be optimally adapted to the required machining task. Engine spindles with the cartridge design and tube version gear spindles offer quick and easy service for maintenance work.

For light metals, the engine spindles, with their short run-up and stop times with speeds up to 16,000/min, have proven to be most effective. For heavy cutting, gear spindles with 2-level control gears are used. In addition to the economic machining of steel and cast iron, with the gear model with spindle speeds of up to 10,000/min, mixed operation with aluminum materials is also possible. The spindles feature 4-way (tandem)

double-O main bearing. These extremely rigid working spindles with a bearing diameter of 100 mm (optionally a gear spindle with 130 mm bearing diameter is available) ensure high running accuracy. A labyrinth seal, supplied with an additional air purge, prevents the intrusion of coolant and dirt, thus guaranteeing long-term, stable process reliability and long life. A huge competitive advantage is provided by the very slender, optionally extensible spindle tube. The slim design allows for optimal "immersion" into complex workpiece geometries and fixtures (photo 9).
Simultaneous 5-axis machining

For the machining of complex workpieces in one setting, multi-sided machining, drilling or surface machining in different angles as well as free-form surfaces in tool and mold making and in the aerospace industry, a swivel head (photo 10) is available starting from size NBH 630. The swivel axis - from the range of 0° (= horizontal spindle position) to 225° (180° = vertical spindle position) - and the NC rotary table can be driven without backlash by a powerful gear. This design provides maximum torque for positioning and simultaneous operation. A further important factor is 5-axis precision. For this purpose, a thermally stable machine is necessary. Among others, cooled servo motors, ball assemblies and gears as well as coolant temperature control are used.

In addition to the swivel head, size 800 from the NBH series offers an alternative tilting/rotary table (photo 11). The gantry drive in the Z-axis completes this powerful concept. The tilting/rotary table model is available with the powerful HSK-A 100 engine spindles and gear spindles. Depending on the workpiece spectrum, the most appropriate 5-axis principle can thus be selected.
Modular tool magazines for each production application

No matter whether the NBH centers are used for demanding machining in changing small series or as production machines in mass production, a tool magazine is always available which can be optimally adapted to the production processes (photo 12). Here, the solutions range from simple and inexpensive pick-up disc magazines with 40 tool places, or disc, chain and linear magazines to the legendary Hüller Hille NBH cassette magazine with up to 400 tool places. If the tool is not changed directly into the disc magazine with the pick-up process, this is done via fast uptime parallel tool feed with a linear tool handling device with NC drive. The actual change process is handled by a fast 180° electro-mechanical tool changer with mechanical locking of the tools when swiveling.

With the tool cassette magazine, the front cassette can be exchanged with an appropriate lift truck (photo 13). During retrofitting, for example to a different workpiece series, the prepared tool cassette with the complete set of corresponding tools can be changed in a few minutes. With a correspondingly long tool operation run time, this can even be done while machining.

Via a tool loading station, individual tools can be introduced into the magazine or discharged if worn, for example, during machining. A retractable tool drawer is available as an option for the tool loading station (photo 14). Thus, during the machine run time, up to 4 tools can be exchanged. Practical tool geometries, 600 mm tool lengths (optionally 800 mm for the large machines) and up to 40 kg of tool weight offer great flexibility in the range of workpieces to be machined and secure the necessary reserves for future production requirements.
Pallet storage systems increase productivity

The high capacity of the cassette tool magazine is also a prerequisite for efficient use of pallet storage systems. In conjunction with pallet storage systems, the users of the NBH centers can increase machine uptime, realize lower costs per part and their competitive edge by at least partially decoupling the man-machine work process (photo 15). The machines can run during break times or unmanned shifts after working hours or on weekends. All NBH machining centers can be integrated for multi-machine setups, uninterrupted workflow or continued production in unattended shifts with multi-pallet storage, linear pallet containers, linear/multi-pallet storage, robotic and gantry loader automation in flexible manufacturing cells or in flexible manufacturing systems, even in combination with other machines with different processing technologies.

Photo 1: Nearly 40 years have passed between the nb-h 70 and the new NBH 1000. Punched tape was still used as a data carrier for the programs back then, while today the Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl, a modern, powerful CNC control system using state-of-the-art technology, is used.
Photo 2: Up to size model NBH 630, the NBH centers are quickly and inexpensively installed in a flowline assembly sequence.		Photo 3: Assembly of the NBH 1000 machines in sequential box assembly.
Photo 4: Extra large guide distances (for the NBH 1000, 1000 mm in the X-axis and 1200 mm in Z-axis) are crucial for the high stability of the NBH centers.		Photo 5: A large amount of chips is disposed safely and quickly from the NBH centers.
Photo 6: Digitally controlled three-phase servo motor for direct driven feed axes on an NBH 1000 (X-axis).		Photo 7: Modern rotary table on a NBH 1000 with direct drive (torque engine).
Photo 8: Fast 180° pallet changer on an NBH 1000 with up to 3000 kg load capacity per pallet.		Photo 9: The slim spindle tube can "immerse" into the fixture devices in many cases, or drive past the workpiece sections.
Photo 10: Swivel head for simultaneous 5-axis machining.		Photo 11: All NBH spindles can be used without restrictions of any kind in combination with the tilting/rotary table.
Photo 12: Disc tool magazine with 120 tool places.		Photo 13: 50 tools in one cassette can be exchanged in minutes during machine uptime.
Photo 14: With the tool drawer, up to 14 tools can be exchanged during machine uptime.		Photo 15: Multiple pallet storage on two levels.

]]> 2013-MAG Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:20:00 +0200 http://www.mag-ias.com/en/mag-news/press-archive/archive/archive2/press-archive/2011/article/article/fives-to-reinforce-its-activity-in-machine-tools-with-the-acquisition-of-mag-americas-a-global-supp.html Paris, March 8, 2013 – Fives has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MAG Americas, a global supplier of high-performance machining solutions and composite processing. "This acquisition marks another step forward in the development of our Group, which will add to its portfolio the innovative know-how of more than 1,000 employees located in 5 different countries. As a global supplier of superior and innovative technologies and products, MAG Americas perfectly matches Fives’ strategy to focus on high value-adding industries, such as aerospace. Through this combination, we are also reinforcing our exposure to a wellpositioned North American industry and opening to new opportunities for development in emerging countries." This acquisition is being carried out with the full support of AXA Private Equity, Fives’ main stakeholder, which contributes to this new step in Fives’ development. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. About Fives
Fives is an industrial engineering group born 200 years ago. It designs and manufactures process equipment, production lines and turnkey plants for the world’s largest industrial companies in the aluminum, steel, glass, automotive, logistics, cement and energy sectors, both in emerging and developed countries. In all these areas, Fives designs breakthrough innovations that anticipate and respond to the needs of its customers in terms of profitability, safety and environmental responsibility. In 2012, Fives achieved sales of €1.5 billion and employed more than 6,500 people in about 30 countries. Press contact
Claire Mathieu
Tel.: +33 (0)1 45 23 76 21
claire.mathieu@fivesgroup.com ]]> 2013-MAG Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:12:00 +0100 http://www.mag-ias.com/en/mag-news/press-archive/archive/archive2/press-archive/2011/article/article/mag-americas-mit-neuem-eigner-fives.html MAG Americas and Forest-Liné Group acquired by Fives, a French engineering group MAG Europe to sell its shares of Forest-Liné (62%) to Fives Göppingen, March 8, 2013 – The shareholders of MAG IAS LLC (“MAG Americas”) have entered into an agreement with Fives, a French engineering group with a global presence, to sell MAG IAS LLC including its 38% ownership stake in the French aerospace machine tool manufacturer Forest-Liné. In parallel, MAG Europe GmbH (“MAG Europe”) has entered into an agreement to sell its 62% ownership stake in Forest-Liné to Fives. The transactions are subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The parties have agreed not to disclose any information about the purchase price. With the sale of its Forest-Liné shares, MAG Europe continues its restructuring program focusing on its core competencies as automotive and industrial equipment solutions provider. MAG Europe will use the sales proceeds of the Forest-Liné deal to pay back a loan to its MAG IAS GmbH subsidiary as soon as the deal will be closed. MAG IAS GmbH will in turn use the money as additional cash collateral to the financing banks. The automotive activities of MAG IAS LLC as well as the subsidiary in India are not part of the contemplated sale and will remain with the MAG group, in order to maintain the global automotive activities under the MAG brand. About MAG IAS GmbH (ISIN DE000A1H3EY2) MAG IAS GmbH, based in Göppingen, Germany is part of a leading global machine tool and systems group. Based on a long-standing manufacturing technology tradition, the company now has more than 1600 employees at five manufacturing plants in Germany. About MAG Europe GmbH The holding company MAG Europe GmbH comprises leading machine tool and systems companies with locations in Germany, China, Hungary, Korea, Switzerland, and Russia. The group has been formed in 2005, based on a strong foundation of renowned brands such as Boehringer, Cross Hüller, Ex-Cell-O, FMS, Hessapp, Honsberg, Hüller Hille, Modul and Witzig & Frank. Key industrial markets served include automotive and truck, industrial equipment, heavy equipment, oil & gas, rail, aerospace, and wind turbine production. With manufacturing and support operations strategically located worldwide, MAG offers comprehensive lines of equipment and technologies including turning, milling, hobbing, honing, systems integration, composites processing, maintenance, automation, and core components. ]]> 2013-MAG Bond Ad-Hoc Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:30:00 +0100 http://www.mag-ias.com/en/mag-news/press-archive/archive/archive2/press-archive/2011/article/article/mags-cryogenic-machining-process-recognized-as-game-changing-technology-with-frost-sullivan.html Multi-patented breakthrough machining process places MAG among 100 world-class companies and individual leaders shaping the future of global manufacturing. Manufacturing Leadership Council has named MAG IAS, LLC to its 2013 Manufacturing Leadership 100 list to receive an award in the “Game-Changing Technologies” category for the company's cryogenic machining process. The global awards competition is judged by an expert panel of industry executives and government leaders, and recognizes 100 companies and individuals from around the world who have distinguished themselves by pursuing breakthrough innovation.

"We have always believed cryogenic machining would be a transformative technology for our industry, and this award validates our investment and the hard work of dozens of engineers to bring a viable, cost-effective process to the commercial market," said MAG President Bill Horwarth. "In accepting this award, we must also acknowledge the work and guidance of our partners in the development process: the U.S. Navy, Creare, NavAir and Lockheed Martin."

MAG introduced the cryogenic machining technology at IMTS 2010, and made it commercially available at IMTS 2012. The unique, multi-patented cryogenic machining process enables higher cutting speeds for increased material removal and longer tool life by transmitting liquid nitrogen at 321°F through a tool body, direct to the cutting edge. Ideal applications involve aggressive cutting in difficult-to-machine materials, such as titanium, composites, nickel-based alloys, and nodular or compacted graphite iron (CGI). The process has already been approved by the U.S. government for roughing titanium components for the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, and is now available exclusively on new MAG machines or as a retrofit on MAG’s legacy-brand machines.

“Cryogenic machining's productivity increases are immediately recognized as a good return on investment,” Horwarth added. “In addition, customers also see a significant ROI from the reduction of post-machining finishing operations, as well as the elimination of water-soluble coolants and reduction in machine maintenance. Cryogenic technology makes new installations less expensive and provides an improved working environment benefitting worker health and safety.”

According to the ML100 category description for the Game-Changing Technologies Award: “winners in this category will have improved their competitiveness and efficiency by becoming aggressive early adapters of emerging technologies … projects may also demonstrate the successful application of new tools and basic materials in the production process...and will also serve as examples of how these game-changing technologies will evolve and contribute in the future.”

MAG and award recipients from seven other countries will be honored at the Manufacturing Leadership Summit, May 15, 2013 in Palm Beach, FL. For additional information on cryogenic machining, visit mag-ias.com or email info-us@mag-ias.com.



About MAG
MAG is a leading machine tool and systems company serving the durable goods industry worldwide with complete manufacturing solutions for metal cutting and composites applications. With a strong foundation based upon renowned brands such as Boehringer, Cincinnati, Cross & Trecker, Ex-Cell-O, Fadal, Forest Liné, Giddings & Lewis, Hessapp, Honsberg, Hüller Hille, Lamb, Modul and Witzig & Frank, MAG is recognized as the preeminent provider of tailored production solutions based on state-of-the-art technology. Key industrial markets served include aerospace, automotive and truck, heavy equipment, oil and gas, rail, solar energy, wind turbine production and general machining.

With manufacturing and support operations strategically located worldwide, MAG offers comprehensive lines of equipment and technologies including turning, milling, hobbing, grinding, honing, systems integration, composites processing, cryogenic machining, maintenance, automation and software, tooling and fluids, and core components.

For more information about MAG, please visit: www.mag-ias.com ]]> 2013-MAG Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.mag-ias.com/en/mag-news/press-archive/archive/archive2/press-archive/2011/article/article/a-first-in-automated-composites-processing-new-interchangeable-cutclamprestart-module-incre.html New interchangeable CCR for fiber placement machines can increase a facility’s output without new machinery or infrastructure MAG has developed a new system to automatically exchange a fresh cut/clamp/restart (CCR) unit whenever needed on fiber placement machines, eliminating downtime and allowing the machines to maintain full production rates virtually uninterrupted. Developed for Boeing South Carolina, the CCR changing system allows offline servicing of a contaminated end effector to dramatically increase the production availability of new or existing machines.
“We expect the interchangeable cut/clamp/restart (CCR) system to be an important factor in helping Boeing fulfill its plans for increasing production rates at the South Carolina facility,” explained Robert Harper, Director Technical Sales, MAG Composites. “The VIPER 6000s have delivered highly reliable layup for fuselage sections since 2006. The interchangeable CCR module will maximize the machines’ efficiency and throughput, particularly when fabricating these large parts.”

The CCR changing system automatically exchanges one end effector for a second that processes the same width material, utilizing a docking stand outside the work zone. The offline CCR can then be cleaned or serviced without interruption to production. The interchangeable CCR module is designed for easy maintenance, and can be disassembled in minutes without hand tools. “Unlike head docking, this system leaves all the raw material aboard the machine and changes the end effector only," Harper added. "This makes the exchange fast and simple." The interchangeable CCR module also includes high-speed cut and add-on-the-fly rates as a standard feature.

The VIPER AFP system is the world’s most widely used platform for automated layup of complex composite aerostructures. "While the industry struggles to introduce technology that can deliver high-quality layup at required production rates, the VIPER has been supporting, and continues to support, the largest number of aircraft programs worldwide, including commercial, military and space," Harper stressed.

The VIPER provides independent control over feed, clamp, cut and re-start for up to 32 individual tows of composite prepreg slit tape, allowing automated "on-the-fly" adjustment of the fiber band width, controlled placement of fibers around changing contours, and precise configuration of openings. The system allows wrinkle-free, near-net-shape lay-up of enclosed and deeply contoured structures and concave/convex surfaces for precision production of fuselage sections, panels, cowls, ducts and nozzle cones for commercial, military and space vehicles. The VIPER 6000 handles tow widths of 3.2, 6.4 and 12.7 mm (0.125, 0.25, 0.5 in), producing fiber band widths up to 406.4 mm (16 in).

Other recent innovations by MAG include the GEMINI™ Composite Processing System, introduced in 2012, and the VIPER 7000 vertical gantry fiber placement system. The GEMINI vertical gantry, built for accuracy and versatility in aerospace production, offers head changing capability to accommodate various fiber or tape laying heads or a combination of both. The VIPER 7000, another gantry platform, features a fixed head designed for speed and high-volume performance. Its design allows unlimited part length and multiple work zones for the largest wind energy and aerospace parts. In addition to hardware solutions, MAG also provides ACES® software (Advanced Composites Environment Suite), the industry's fastest and most powerful programming and simulation system for both tape laying and fiber placement.

MAG pioneered automated composites processing for building aerostructures, and its systems are widely used in major worldwide aircraft programs, with over 125 installations globally, nearly 40% of them in Europe and Asia. ]]> 2013-MAG Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:59:00 +0100