Cevotec Announces First SAMBA System Install in Japan

National Composites Center Japan (NCC) in Nagoya, Japan, celebrates the commissioning of the first SAMBA Pro PV system in Japan. The availability of this advanced composite lay-up system, supplied by German automation specialist Cevotec, allows the Japanese manufacturing industry to develop lighter, more sustainable composite tanks with increased storage volume, according to Cevotec. Efficient storage tanks are key to decrease the cost of hydrogen usage in mobile applications such as commercial road transport, railway, construction, marine and aviation, Cevotec adds.

The SAMBA Pro PV system, based on fiber patch placement (FPP) technology, is dedicated to the production of dome reinforcements for hydrogen pressure vessels. The system includes a second operating mode tailored for free-form components such as advanced aerospace composites.

“This commissioning underscores the innovative spirit and collaboration of the international composite community. It expands the technology portfolio of Japan to develop better composite hydrogen tanks, and we are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with our industry partners in this exciting field,” comments Professor Akinori Yoshimura, director of the NCC. 

International Collaboration to Advance Composite Technologies 

In parallel to the activities at the NCC, the Fraunhofer Institute for Casting, Composite, and Processing Technology (IGCV) recently strengthened its presence in Japan by establishing the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Fibers, Processing and Recycling Solutions at Innovative Composite Center, FIP-MIRAI@ICC, in Kanazawa. This platform facilitates local cooperation and supports Japanese and German companies, including startups, in advancing composite technologies. Joint projects using SAMBA systems support knowledge transfer in FPP technology that benefits the industrial community. Cevotec also collaborates closely with Fraunhofer IGCV, which houses a SAMBA Pro Prepreg system in Augsburg, Germany.  

“By bringing together expertise from Germany and Japan, this collaboration fosters knowledge exchange and accelerates innovation in FPP technology. All partners are eager and excited about the opportunities for cooperation within this expert network,” says Florian Lenz, technical director of Cevotec.  

The synergies between Cevotec, Fuji Industries, NCC, Fraunhofer IGCV, and the ICC demonstrate a commitment to advancing the composite industry and driving technological progress in the region. 

About Cevotec

Cevotec is a provider of automation equipment based on fiber patch placement (FPP) technology. Cevotec’s robotic lay-up systems and CAD/CAM software enable the automated production of complex, multimaterial composite parts, serving industries such as aerospace and composite tanks. Cevotec's commitment to sustainability drives its mission to empower manufacturers to build complex composites.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.