The Dawn of Robotics in Composites Manufacturing

Composites manufacturing has long been held back by one persistent problem: abysmally low production rates. This thought leadership report from Stratview Research, based on over 50 primary interviews with industry experts, co-founders, and academics, examines how robotics is beginning to close that gap.

The report covers:

• The five generations of composites development, from 1940s glass fiber reinforced composites to today's robotic layup and 3D printing

• The three core robotic functions transforming the industry — layup (AFP, ATL, 3D printing), inspection, and cobotic support roles (pick-and-place, drilling, sanding, painting)

• Why inspection and rework currently consume roughly 60% of total part production time, and how in-situ inspection is closing that gap

• Industry-by-industry potential, with aerospace as the most aggressive adopter and transportation, construction, and pipes/tanks close behind

• Real-world case studies: Audi's KLARA robot for CFRP roof installation, MTorres' Torreswing monocoque fuselage process, Addcomposites' plug-and-play AFP head, and more

• The thermoset vs. thermoplastics debate, and why reinforced thermoplastics are positioned as a "perfect match" for robotic automation

• Expert commentary from co-founders and technical leads at AREVO, Addcomposites, Continuous Composites, Airborne, Huntsman Polyurethanes, and the University of Twente

• A forward-looking view on falling robot and carbon fiber costs, and what that means for smaller manufacturers gaining access to automation