Thermographic online monitoring system for Automated Fiber Placement processes

摘要

Automated Fiber Placement processes are commonly used to manufacture lightweight structures e.g. for highly demanding aerospace applications. In general, quality inspection is usually carried out manually and it is considerably time consuming in terms of high lot sizes and huge part dimensions. An online AFP process monitoring based on thermal camera combined with process depending image processing is presented. The visible temperature difference between the laid-up tow and its surface underneath is analyzed and information of lay-up defects such as overlaps, gaps, twisted tows and bridging derived. This monitoring system can reduce the efforts in quality inspection and will help to increase process reliability significantly. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.