Tomorrow’s world is composites.

Rapid manufacturing exploiting carbon composites will play an important role in the future of manufacturing industry. One leading technology is the automated positioning of carbon fiber strips over a tool/mandrel/mold surface via robotic arms first to cover the entire surface and then build up additional layers to create the composite structure. This process is called Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) or Automated Tape Laying (ATL).

Such carbon fiber fabrication techniques generally involve the use of a strip or ribbon form of very fine graphite fibers. During fabrication, the ribbon is passed through a resin bath. After passing through the resin bath, the fibers are applied to a tool or other form which defines the shape of the part being fabricated.

Although the Automated fiber placement (AFP) manufacturing process has been implemented in recent times, the noncompliance of fiber strip natural pathways on complex tool surface curvature has led to defects in the composite structure. Such as over-steered and overstressed strips, gaps and/or overlaps between adjacent strips. Nuclear Strategy, Inc. Advanced Drape Software (ADS) comprises of calculating exact pathways of rigid strips on tool surface and by using natural bending of the strips, cover tool surface without defect. The tool surface contour complexity produce sudden change in strip direction. The trade-off between natural bending of the strip which allows change of direction and strip natural drape pathway predominates the existence of gaps and overlaps. Therefore, the methods of the ADS highlights on the importance of determining the strip natural drape pathways.

ADS provide a real 3D mathematical modeling solution to the 3D ATL problem, making it the first ever software to control and operate robotic arms directly.

ADS enable fabrication of carbon fiber composite parts, such as automobile bodies, aircraft wings, turbine blades and the like, having optimal structural strength and endurance.

Strength when needed. Elasticity when needed. Tomorrow is here.

US PATENT 61865568 (Application) METHOD OF CALCULATING THE PATHWAYS OF RIGID STRIP OVER OBJECTS OF COMPLEX CURVATURE AND COVERING OBJECT SURFACE WITH FIBER STEERING.