Title: EXPLORING SCIENCE-BASED AUTOMATION USING A SMALL AFP DEMONSTRATOR

Authors: Nima Bakhshi, Xiulun Yin, Ziqiang Chen, John D.W. Madden, Anoush Poursartip

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.23.0189

Abstract: Automation has driven significant advances in aerospace composites manufacturing. However, there is room for improvement of robust, efficient, and cost-effective methods to manufacture structures at higher production rates. It is argued here that through a balanced integration of a science-based framework representing materials and processes, with instrumentation and automated control technologies, the current challenges can be better addressed. An example of this integrated approach is applied to Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) as a case study. Currently, a considerable gap exists in terms of technology and process representation between the state-of-the-art of tack characterization methods and research AFP systems. This work bridges this gap by developing a table-top AFP demonstrator that can accurately simulate the tow deposition process and perform custom operations such as in-situ peel tests. A smart roller technology is developed to measure crucial process parameters at the AFP process nip point, in-situ. The sense-think-act framework is applied in a material- and process-centric approach to integrate the material state as measured during the process into the control of the AFP system. Sensor data is analyzed through a physics-based framework, that includes physics-based material and process models and simulations, to develop control strategies based on system feedback.

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Conference: SAMPE 2023

Publication Date: 2023/04/17

SKU: TP23-0000000189

Pages: 15

Price: $30.00