XCell
Machine XCell illustration
XCell M
Machine XCell-M illustration
XCell ∞
Machine XCell-∞ illustration
AFP
XPlace mk3
Tool head XPlace mk3 illustration
XPlace²
Tool head Xplace² illustration
FW
X1 Tow
Tool head X1 Tow illustration
X4 Tow
Tool head X4 Tow illustration

XPlace mk3

Built for Detail
Precision that reaches where others cannot. The single-tow head for AFP, built for detail, XPlace lays up fine contours and complex geometries, with patented angular cutting for cleaner course edges.

Fibre Configuration

Tow count: 1
Width: from 1-40 mm
Minimum fibre length: 60 mm

Head Specifications

Cut/restart precision: ±1.5mm
Tolerance between two tapes: 0/+1.5mm
Layup speed: up to 1 m/s
Tension control: set value applied to spools during layup
Creel configuration: fixed side creel or onboard spool
Head weight: 5.5-20 kg, depending on creel configuration (excludes loaded material)
Open design, for easier fibre guiding and maintenance

Material Compatibility

Thermoset: slit tape or AFP towpreg. Standard head, with IR lamp heating.
Thermoplastic and dry stabilized tapes: requires an alternate heat source (optional).

Angular Cut

Patented angular cutting lets each tow be cut at any angle from -45° to 45°, not perpendicular to the fibre only, for cleaner course edges on complex geometries.
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Specifications shown are for heads integrated into a Carbon Axis machine. As standalone heads mounted on a third-party robot, environmental and performance conditions cannot be guaranteed by Carbon Axis.

Optional features

01
Lightweight version
02
onboard creel
03
XCreel
04
heated plate
05
Hot air gun
06
Ir camera

For robots below 25 kg payload, the XPlace MK3 comes in a lighter version. A small BSH315 Hafner pancake spool sits onboard, holding up to 1 kg of material. For more material storage and other spool types, add the XCreel.

For robots above 35 kg payload, the preferred configuration is the onboard creel. The spools sit on the head itself, taking 3" cardboard core, BSH315 Hafner, and DIN250 spools.

For lightweight configurations without an onboard spool, the XCreel stores the spool and controls its tension. It takes 3" cardboard core, BSH315 Hafner, and DIN250 spools, and can rewind material from one spool to another. A small HMI on top controls both the XPlace MK3 head and the XCreel.

Adding a heated plate gives you a 500 x 500 mm rectified aluminium surface, heated up to 130°C, on a base structure at ergonomic working height.

Swap the XPlace MK3 heat source for a hot air gun to process thermoplastics and dry stabilized tapes, up to 300°C.

An IR camera reads the temperature of the material and substrate at the placement point while the head lays. Use it to confirm the process stays in its temperature window as speed, material, and room conditions change.

Runs on the XLay suite

XLay runs every process on your machine: AFP, filament winding, tape winding, and ultrasonic cutting, from CAD design to machine code in one interface. A plug-in for Rhinoceros (v7 and v8), it covers layup, robot simulation, and machine code export, all in a single environment.

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AFP and Filament Winding Tool Heads

Each tool head is also available on its own, ready to mount on a KUKA robot you already have. Adding a process doesn't mean buying a new cell: a head can complement a process already on your line, or be added later as your needs grow.

Detail, pass after pass. Watch the XPlace mk3 lay up fine contours on a compact head.

XPlace mk3 in action