Automated fibre placement

Automated prepreg processes automated fibre placement and automated tape layup... 

In order to bring VAT panels from design to application scenarios, a variety of manufacturing techniques have been developed. Conventional automated fibre placement (AFP) techniques use tow head mming to control the angle change. 

Figure 4.9 Comparison of average thickness (solid lines) and buckling strains (dashed) for straight fibre optimum designs and variable fibre angle designs obtained using continuous tow shearing and automated fibre placement. In all cases, the panels are 250 mm wide and 750 mm long with simple supports.

Turner MR, Rudd CD, Long AC, Middleton V, McGeehin P, Net-shape preform manufacture using automated fibre placement. Advanced Composites Letters, 4(4), 121-124, 1995. 

The ATL and AFP processes are thus a cross between filament winding with its elaborate automated patterns of fibre laydown and unidirectional prepreg layup with its reliance on the autoclave. The use of automated robotic machinery for the layup gives increased layup speed (vital to economically manufacture these large items in feasible timescale), consistency and freedom from errors compared with manual techniques, as well as ensuring precision in the placement of the tows and tapes. 

---