Modeling and experimental validation of compaction pressure distribution for automated fiber placement

摘要

Automated fiber placement is especially suitable for manufacturing composite components with curved surfaces, in which case the uneven compaction pressure distribution is an important factor affecting layup quality, but it has not been widely explored. In this paper, a theoretical model of the compaction pressure distribution for layup on irregular curved surface is established by analyzing the contact between the compaction roller and prepreg layers. Based on the model, a numerical algorithm for calculating the pressure distribution in the whole placement process is proposed. Then the pressure distribution around four path points of a winglet mold is obtained and validated by the subsequent experiment. The results show that the model can be used to predict the compaction pressure distribution before the placement and analyze the layup quality and defects from the perspective of compaction pressure.