Aerospace Company Leverages AFP to Boost Efficiency and Reduce Costs

Firefly Aerospace has announced plans to transition its manufacturing to Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) technology, a move expected to boost efficiency and reduce costs. The company will install the first AFP system in May 2021 at its Texas facility, with the second system to follow in 2022 at its Florida Space Coast factory. Firefly’s CEO, Dr. Tom Markusic, cited the benefits of AFP in reducing composite materials waste, increasing repeatability, and reducing build times. Ingersoll Machine Tools will provide the AFP systems, which will enable the production of Alpha rocket airframes in as little as 14 days. The company’s focus on AFP technology may signal a shift towards more efficient and cost-effective manufacturing processes in the aerospace industry.