AUTOMATED FIBER PLACEMENTS AND AUTOMATED TAPE LAYING MACHINES MARKET ANALYSIS

Automated Fiber Placements And Automated Tape Laying Machines Market Size and Trends

Global automated fiber placements and automated tape laying machines market is estimated to be valued at US$ 356.1 Mn in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 642.3 Mn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% from 2024 to 2031.

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Rapid adoption of advanced composites in industries, such as aerospace and defense, transportation, and wind energy, is expected to drive the demand for automated fiber placement and tape laying machines market during the forecast period. The Global Automated Fiber Placements and Automated Tape Laying Machines Market is witnessing positive growth driven by factors such as rising need for lightweight and fuel-efficient aircraft/automobiles along with focus towards renewable energy. Additionally, growing automation in composites manufacturing is boosting the market growth. Technologies integrated with automated fiber placements and tape laying machines such as robotics and internet of things (IoT) are also expected to gain significant traction in the coming years.

Growing demand for lightweight and high-strength materials in aerospace and automotive industries

The aerospace and automotive sectors have always looked for ways to enhance the performance of their products while meeting stringent sustainability targets. One of the ways this has been achieved is by adopting lightweight yet high-strength materials that can reduce the overall weight of vehicles and aircraft. Composite materials like carbon fiber have emerged as a popular choice due to their superior properties. However, the manual production of carbon fiber parts is a complex and labor-intensive process with low repeatability. This is where automated fiber placement and automated tape laying machines have created a disruption.

With AFP/ATL machines, long rolls of raw materials like carbon fiber tapes can be precisely placed onto a mold using computer-controlled depositor heads. The materials consolidate under heat and pressure to form durable composite parts. As the machines automate most of the production steps, they offer higher throughput than manual lamination. More importantly, they ensure consistency in fiber steering and placement which traditional hand-layup methods struggle with. This directly translates to improved part quality and performance. No wonder then that leading aerospace manufacturers are opting for AFP/ATL to produce critical load-bearing components for commercial and military aircraft.

Similarly, automakers see composites as an opportunity to slim down vehicle weight and meet stringent emission regulations. Carbon fiber hoods, roofs, and body panels can help offset the weight of larger and more powerful electric powertrains. AFP/ATL came at the right time for automotive OEMs who want to leverage these benefits at scale. The technology has demonstrated its flexibility to produce various prototype parts and is now being integrated into production lines as well. As composites disrupt vehicle architectures, the demand for advanced composite manufacturing machinery like AFP/ATL can only accelerate.

Increasing automation in manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency

Due to various economic and business pressures, manufacturers across industries are constantly looking at automating processes to improve output while cutting costs. Automating material layup using fully automated fiber placement and tape laying machines is seeing growing popularity for its efficiency benefits. Compared to traditional hand layup of composite parts which is time-consuming, these machines achieve higher labor productivity. Not only can they place materials continuously in a layered fashion 24x7, but one operator can manage multiple machines remotely.

This round-the-clock utilization ensures maximum equipment effectiveness. It also helps reduce overhead costs associated with a large workforce. The machines optimize material usage through precise placement, thereby lowering raw material wastage. Their ability to accurately translate CAD models into fiber steering commands results in superior part quality and repeatability compared to manual methods. This translational accuracy fosters manufacturability. More automation also means more traceability of machine and process parameters essential for quality assurance in highly regulated industries like aerospace and medical devices.

For instance, In August 2023, KUKA, a leading global provider of automation solutions and robotics, launched a new automated tape laying machine designed for high-speed applications. This innovative machine aims to enhance efficiency in composite manufacturing, particularly for industries such as aerospace and automotive, where precision and speed are critical. The introduction of this advanced technology reflects KUKA's commitment to driving automation and improving production processes in the rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape.