Automated Fiber Placement Flashcards
What are the primary drivers to implement automated fiber placement equipment?
Flexibility - Faster transition to production, multiple part types- reconfigurable
Integration - Factory management,
Performance - Machine performance to specification and contract
Life Cycle Cost - Staffing and early involvement are required to determine best path.
Asset Utilization - Every second can be utilized training may be largest contribution
Global support - The sun never sets on aerospace, languages and cultures are critical
Local Support - In the beginning, collocated engineers and designers, then service.
What are the types of heads?
Fixed, Manual Replacement, Modular.
What are the types of AFP materials?
Tapes and Tows were initially towpreg, now almost everyone uses slit tape material
that is made by slitting a wide roll of uni-directional tape into narrower strips.
Tow Width can be ½”, ¼” or 1/8”. Tow Width and number of Tows is determined by part contour, head
clearance, minimum steering radius (e.g. laying up a spar), available machine type (½” vs ¼” machine),
aircraft OEM’s cert. database, manufacturer’s preference, productivity and reliability – relationship
between number of tows and laydown rate can be counterintuitive.
What are the merits of AFP?
Cost Savings = AFP vs Hand Layup; initial capital investment vs human capital over
time. Below a certain laydown rate AFP is more expensive than hand lay-up per pound of structure.
What are the productivity rates?
A-Rate = Material Laid (lbs.) / Uptime (hrs.) B-Rate = Material Laid (lbs.) / Uptime + Downtime (hrs.) C-Rate = Material Laid (lbs.) / Uptime + Downtime + Inspection time + Setup time + Other (hrs.)
Where does AFP pay off?
Increase productivity, reduced capital investment, high precision material
placement, repeatable placement, fabricate intricate parts, geodesic panels and advanced structural
configurations.
What is next with AFP?
Automation of Inspection, Cooperative tow placement, Automated 3D
weaving/braiding.
