Composites design optimization for automated fiber placement

Coriolis Composites and SAFRAN Aircelle worked together on a thrust reverser component demonstrator made with carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) material and an AFP process.

Complex composites structures are becoming more common, especially in aeronautics. Composites preforms can now be manufactured by automated processes, such as automated fiber placement (AFP) and automated tape laying (ATL), to achieve the expected production volumes.

The AFP process is the most interesting since it can address complex double-curvature layup surfaces with good productivity rates and low material scrap, according to Coriolis Software. The main advantages of this technology are that material can be steered to address the problem of curvature, and fiber angular deviation from the engineering rosette can be easily managed. This opens interesting possibilities to optimize the design of composites structures and to change the current traditional “black metal” approach of design offices.