TY - JOUR

T1 - Inline tape width control for thermoplastic automated tape layup

AU - Yadav, Neha

AU - Schledjewski, Ralf

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)

PY - 2022/10/21

Y1 - 2022/10/21

N2 - Automated tape layup, is predisposed to positioning defects like gaps and overlaps which are detrimental to the structural integrity of the part. This work investigates the details of the design of inline width control concept, a technique for inline control of consolidated tape width to eliminate gaps. Continuous inline width variation is achieved by online control of the compaction force, during the layup process. Successful calibration and benchmarking tests using standard pressure measurement sensors are presented. Performance assessment tests are performed which demonstrate online variation of force from 50 N to 1000 N, having a standard deviation of 10 N. Correlation models for width control are obtained and it is shown that a width increase of 5–50 % of initial width is achievable using the prototype. An example of linearly varying force resulting in a trapezium shaped consolidated tape is also shown as a part of the feasibility study.

AB - Automated tape layup, is predisposed to positioning defects like gaps and overlaps which are detrimental to the structural integrity of the part. This work investigates the details of the design of inline width control concept, a technique for inline control of consolidated tape width to eliminate gaps. Continuous inline width variation is achieved by online control of the compaction force, during the layup process. Successful calibration and benchmarking tests using standard pressure measurement sensors are presented. Performance assessment tests are performed which demonstrate online variation of force from 50 N to 1000 N, having a standard deviation of 10 N. Correlation models for width control are obtained and it is shown that a width increase of 5–50 % of initial width is achievable using the prototype. An example of linearly varying force resulting in a trapezium shaped consolidated tape is also shown as a part of the feasibility study.

KW - Defects

KW - Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)

KW - Process monitoring

KW - Tape placement

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85140086198&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.compositesa.2022.107267

DO - 10.1016/j.compositesa.2022.107267

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85140086198

VL - 163.2022

JO - Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

JF - Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

SN - 1359-835X

IS - December

M1 - 107267

ER -