Automatic planning strategy for robotic lay-up of prepregs on a complex-shaped mold

Automatic planning strategy for robotic lay-up of prepregs on a complex-shaped mold

GAMBARDELLA Antonio, ESPERTO Vitantonio, CARLONE Pierpaolo

Abstract. The evolution of composite component production has been driven by a constant quest for improvements in process efficiency, precision, and repeatability. The eventual transition from traditional hand layup to robotic layup represents a significant step in this evolution. The implementation of robotic layup systems has become increasingly prevalent in the manufacturing industry, particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors, where lightweight, strength, and precision are mandatory requirements. Ideally, the goal is the development of processes where a highly precise robotic arm could automate the deposition of composite materials onto the mold, providing a certain reduction of human errors, and minimizing material waste and associated costs. In this context, this paper proposes a computational tool that is able to provide automatic layup planning for the robotic layup process. The implemented algorithm incorporates the knowledge of a professional laminator: it can automatically analyze a generic mold surface of complex shape, work out the correct strategies for lamination, and generate instructions for robot movements.

Keywords
Robotic Layup, Composites Manufacturing, Prepreg Forming, Process Planning

Published online 4/24/2024, 10 pages
Copyright © 2024 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: GAMBARDELLA Antonio, ESPERTO Vitantonio, CARLONE Pierpaolo, Automatic planning strategy for robotic lay-up of prepregs on a complex-shaped mold, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 41, pp 558-567, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903131-62

The article was published as article 62 of the book Material Forming

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

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