GroFi: Large-scale fiber placement research facility

Abstract

GroFi is a large research facility operated by the German Aerospace Center’s Center for Lightweight-Production-Technology in Stade. A combination of different layup technologies namely (dry) fiber placement and tape laying, allows the development and validation of new production technologies and processes for large-scale composite components. Due to the use of coordinated and simultaneously working layup units a high flexibility of the research platform is achieved. This allows the investigation of new materials, technologies and processes on both, small coupons, but also large components such as wing covers or fuselage skins.