The production of large thermoplastic composites parts is a challenging issue for today’s aerospace and automobile industry.

Automated tape placement (ATP) appears to be an appealing process. In this process a tape is placed and progressively welded on the substrate consisting in the tapes previously placed. By laying additional layers in different directions, a part with desired properties and geometry can be produced.

The thermo-mechanical process is significantly affected by many material and process parameters (for instance, laser power and line velocity). Moreover, the heat conduction inside the part depends on the contact resistances at the inter-plies.

Techniques for monitoring and controlling in real-time such process are extremely valuable in the industrial practice.

 

 

ESR research project #5
PhD candidate: Ramiro Mena
Recruitment institution: Airbus (France)