Fibre handling and converting technology specialist Cygnet Texkimp has unveiled its next-generation, production-scale Prepreg Tape Slitting Machine at the company s UK Innovation Centre. Designed to support the growing demand for automated fibre placement (AFP) and automated tape laying (ATL), the machine enables high-speed, high-accuracy slitting of continuous thermoset, thermoplastic, and ceramic prepreg tapes at up to 60 metres per minute.

The launch follows the sale of Cygnet Texkimp s original demonstrator machine to a leading East Asian composites manufacturer. The upgraded unit now includes in-process monitoring and digital data capture, allowing customers to track tape width, thickness, and consistency through digital passports ensuring traceability across the AFP/ATL production line.

The company highlights that on-site slitting capability gives manufacturers greater control over production speed, quality, and efficiency, while reducing the risks and costs associated with shipping and storing prepregs, particularly thermoset materials with limited shelf life.

Accuracy is a critical enabler for automation, as poor tape quality can create defects such as stringers that cause AFP/ATL machine stoppages and downtime. Customer trials confirm that Cygnet Texkimp s slitting system significantly improves uptime, reduces scrap, and accelerates ROI compared to outsourced services.

The new system integrates winder technology from SAHM (Eschwege, Germany), including its 460XE compact winders, which allow flexible spooling in formats such as pineapple and cassette. This collaboration builds on nearly 50 years of partnership between the two companies.

Graeme Jones, Wide Web Product Director at Cygnet Texkimp, said: We rebuilt our slitter spooler capability at our Innovation Centre after a successful trial led to the sale of our original unit. The ability for customers to test concepts, validate performance, and explore machine parameters with our support ensures they can make confident investment decisions with faster ROI.

With its new prepreg slitting machine, Cygnet Texkimp strengthens its role as a leading enabler of automation in composites manufacturing, offering aerospace and high-performance industries a pathway to greater efficiency, reliability, and quality in AFP/ATL production.

Source: cygnet-texkimp.com