This automated manufacturing process fabricates composite structures by precisely placing resin-impregnated continuous fibers onto a rotating mandrel. The mandrel’s shape determines the final product’s geometry, allowing for the creation of cylindrical, conical, or more complex forms like pressure vessels, pipes, and drive shafts. An example is the fabrication of high-strength, lightweight rocket motor casings.
Automated fiber placement offers significant advantages over traditional methods, including high production rates, consistent quality, and precise control over fiber orientation, which directly influences the final product’s strength and stiffness. This technology’s development has enabled the creation of lighter, stronger, and more durable composite materials crucial for aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy applications. Its historical roots lie in early filament winding techniques, but advancements in computer control and automation have transformed it into a sophisticated manufacturing process.
