Carbon fiber materials are transforming the space industry thanks to their weight savings, but they can be particularly challenging to apply to gigantic spacecraft structures such as those that make up reusable rockets. To compound the challenges, most builders of automated fiber placement (AFP) machines cannot fabricate a machine that is both capable of laydown rates and surface coverage large enough to produce giant panels and other large structures on schedule.
For example, a leading space company that designs and manufactures complete spacecraft and satellite components — including rockets greater than 100 feet in height — turned to a longtime REDEX partner to construct the large structures that will make up a massive carbon fiber composite reusable rocket. That meant our partner would have to create the largest AFP machine it has ever built in order to automate the construction.
Electroimpact uses REDEX machine drive components, precision gear rack and precision slew bearings to drive the X-axis, rotator and C-axis. Our partnership has a history of successes, with collaborations for more than 15 years on various projects involving, for example, large aircraft structures.
This case study will provide an overview of the REDEX components used in this enormous machine along with their features and benefits. It will also describe how REDEX’s FlexxPump automatic lubrication system allows engineers to avoid over- and under-lubrication — and the messes — that can otherwise occur with conventional lubrication methods.
With REDEX rack and pinion or custom gears, you can achieve the precise motion your equipment requires plus the peace of mind that comes from top-quality components that perform reliably in the most demanding AFP machines.