EXPERT'S DIGEST ATL/AFP Fig. 2: Laser-assisted processing of thermoplastic tape cleaning. The tack of the thermoset matrix system is increased by the thermal process energy during the prepreg placement process. The process temperature depends on the matrix system. Nowadays, Composite manufacturing in aerospace industry uses carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, based on prepreg-materials such as vertical tail plane and different fuselage sections. Laser‐assisted processing of dry fiber rovings covered with a binding material In contrast to thermoplastic tapes and thermoset prepregs, dry-fiber rovings covered with adhesive are not used for manufacturing components directly but for manufacturing of preforms instead. The preform has to be impregnated by using well‐known impregnation processes, such as Resin Transfer Mouldingprocesses (RTM), afterwards. Modular design and software architecture The machinery hardware and the process itself require adaptation with regard to the different raw material properties and process parameters. A modular design as well as a modular software architecture is essential for the realization of an all-in-one laser-assisted thermoplastoc tape, thermoset prepreg and dry-fiber placement unit. In contrast to existing systems the Multi‐Material-Head can be extended and modified easily due to its modular assembly. So SMEs can handle different kinds of fiber-reinforced raw materials commonly used with lowest mechanical expenditure only. Fig. 4: Preforms produced with Multi-Material-Head different placement units. Research and development institutes benefit from the modular construction and customizable software architecture. More information: www.compositecluster.com www.sutd.edu.sg As displayed in jec composites technical posters session 2014 The new Multi-Material-Head is a laser-assisted thermoplastic tape, thermoset prepreg and dry-fiber placement unit. Especially SMEs can fulfill orders with changing materials without the need of investing in Fig. 3: Thermoset UD-Prepreg non-woven fabric produced with Multi-Material-Head Expert's digest jec composites magazine Additive Manufacturing 95http://www.compositecluster.com http://www.sutd.edu.sg