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Traditionally, automated fiber placement (AFP) motion platforms use rack and pinion drive trains coupled through a gearbox to a rotary motor. Extensive use of non-contact linear motors on a new AFP motion platform produces a quiet, low-maintenance system without sacrificing precision. A high-rail gantry arrangement allows dynamic performance improvements to machine acceleration and speed, while lowering power consumption costs and capital expenses. The seventh axis incorporated into the machine arrangement effectively produces an effective “five sides of a cube” work envelope, permitting complex spar and panel fabrication.

A drill/ream cycle is necessary to produce high quality, large diameter holes in carbon-titanium stacks. Manual tool changes and traditional automatic tool changers limit hole-to-hole cycle times and hole quality. An in-process tool changer, mounted directly on the machine head, replaces a cutting tool with a reaming tool while clamp-up is maintained on the aircraft panel. By reducing or eliminating operator intervention, machine-axis moves, and optical resynchronization, an in-process automatic tool changer shortens cycle time, improves hole quality, and increases positional accuracy of holes. Automating this process also reduces risk of harm to the operator and aircraft structure.