The effects of heat input on adjacent paths during Automated Fibre Placement

Abstract

One key aspect of the quality of parts attainable from the thermoset Automated Fibre Placement process is the impact of the heat source. For most industrial applications, an infrared heater is used and suitable process windows are still defined by trial-and-error approaches. Within this study, the need for robust thermal prediction tools is shown as well as the need for thermal management of the process. The influence of the radiation distribution on adjacent paths is presented experimentally and numerically, highlighting the non-uniform temperature distribution of tool and component. A multi-angle flat plate component was laid up, and bulk temperatures measured point-wise by a grid of thermocouples, as well as surface temperatures captured using a thermography camera. Finally a parameterised 3D Finite Element model was developed as a basis for precise prediction of the thermal history during the complete layup process.