Hawk™

The most productive fiber placement module for the layup of space and aerospace large composite structures

Hawk™ is Ingersoll Machine Tools’ new Fiber Placement Module engineered for high productivity and high-reliability layups of large aero and space structures: wings, fuselages, rocket stages, fairings. 

Designed to maximize reliability, ergonomics, and productivity while also offering extremely large working volumes, Hawk™ is uniquely positioned as the equipment of choice for high throughput applications. 

With its unique bundle of short / untwisted tow path and ergonomic/modular subassemblies, Hawk™ provides a defect-free layup with minimal maintenance and effortless spool loading/threading.

Hawk™ can place a wide variety of fiber reinforced materials, from the most common to the most challenging, including epoxies, BMIthermoplastics, carbon fiber, glass fiber, and more.

Programming, simulation, optimization, and diagnostics are performed through Ingersoll proprietary software.

Hawk™ is offered in 4 to 24 tow varieties (1/8”, 1/4”, or 1/2” wide) with these multiple configurations being automatically exchanged and operated to increase the quality and the productivity of your lay-up process.

Hawk™ size and configuration can be easily tailored and optimized to fit the customer’s process and meet their end-user needs.


Benefits

  • Productivity 
    Reduce the manufacturing time guaranteeing high deposition rates (m/min - lbs/h)
  • Capacity
    Layup large and extra-large structures
  • Feasibility
    Layup mild curvature, locally flat surfaces using all main fibre-reinforced materials
  • Quality
    Obtain a layup free of defects, with consistent and repeatable tolerances 
  • Versatility
    Possibility to add new manufacturing processes when they become necessary
  • High ROI/Low TCO
    Limited Technology Acquisition Costs and Low Operating Costs

Module Configurations

Each one of the different Hawk™ module configurations consists of 3 main subassemblies:

1. Wrists 

The Wrist is Hawk™ 3 polar axes assembly (C, A, C1) that - summed to the 3 linear axes of the Mongoose™ Hybrid gantry (X, Y, Z) - turns the Hawk™ Head into 6 axes positioned end effector (point, direction, orientation and normal)1 

Wrist (Rotary Axes):

 

C

A

C1

Axis Designation 

Roll 

Bend

Roll

Travel Range

+/- 225°

+/- 92°+/- 185°

Axis Feedrate - min/max

0-20 RPM 

0-20 RPM 

0-20 RPM 

Acceleration Rate 

200deg/sec2

200deg/sec2

200deg/sec2

1 In the case of the Robotic FP™, the wrist polar axes are substituted by the robot’s 6 axes.


2. Creel 

The Creel is Hawk™ spools storage and spools management subassembly. The Creel and Head together are rotating with Wrist axes and moving as a single unit in order to completely avoid tow-length-variability/tow-twisting between the Creel and the Head. Depending on the configuration selected, the Creel comes with:

  • Short / untwisted tow path
  • Effortless spool loading/threading
  • Spools number: from 4 to 24
  • Spool max size: 3” (ID) x 8” (OD) x 11” (width)
  • Spool max weight: 15.5 lb
  • Individual tow tension control
  • Automated backing film material removal

3. Head 

The Head is Hawk™ tow placement end-effector, capable of accurate deposition of a wide variety of fibre-reinforced materials, from the most common to the most challenging, including epoxies, BMI, thermoplastics, carbon fiber, glass fiber, and more.
The Hawk™ Head has been designed and is cooled to minimize contamination by carbon fiber and resin.
In addition, the Head is built with quick exchange and interchangeable components in order to minimize the time required for maintenance. Depending on the configuration selected, the Head comes with:

Tows numbers: from 4 to 24, actuated individually, symmetrically and asymmetrically 

Miss Add and Cut Detection System (MCAD, Optional)

Tows size: 1/8”, 1/4, 1/2”

Remote diagnostics and preventative maintenance through CMTnet™ (optional)

Tows compaction force system: from 50 to 500 lbf (programmable) 

In-situ inspection via Ingersoll ACSIS™ (Automated Composite Structures Inspection System)

Tows heating technology: infrared (standard, and arc-flash, optional)

True bi-directional layup capability

Tow catches modules to avoid pullback

100 mm minimum add length

Tow add module with quick exchange

100 m/min max layup feed-rate

Tow cut module with quick exchange

Add/cut tow end positional accuracy: ±2 mm at 40m/min

Self-adjusting compliance travel: ±20 mm

Max tow acceleration: 4 m/sec2

Conformable set of tow compaction rollers

0.5 degrees ply orientation accuracy

Cooling for the components in contact with fiber to minimize resin build-up 

Tool probing through touch-free laser system 

Feed axis tow wrap detection system

 

Application Sectors

Space & Aerospace 

 Defence & Naval 

Universities & Research Center  

All products
Mongoose™

The smallest end effector in the industry for truly bidirectional layup of complex geometry composite parts

 

Robotic FP™

Ingersoll Machine Tools robotic platform for composite parts manufacturing

Hawk™

The most productive fiber placement module for the layup of space and aerospace large composite structures

ACSIS™

Automated Composite Structure Inspection System