Highlights of the First Symposium on Automated Composites Manufacturing (ACM) (April 11-12,

2013)

Agenda1. Summary of the First Symposium on Automated Composites

Manufacturing (Hoa)2. Development of methods for the evaluation of laminates made by

AFP (Shadmehri)3. Properties of out-of-autoclave laminates made by AFP (Madhok) .4. Modeling of deformation of different layers during the AFP process

(Ghayoor)5. Progress on the development of curved thermoplastic composite

tube: theory and experiment. (Yazdani and Hui)6. Optimization of the buckling performance of composite cylinders by

fiber steering (Rouhi)7. Combination of AFP and thermo stamping and compression

molding (Fews)8. Discussion (all)

3

• 120 attendees, 5 invited speakers• 11 countries (Canada, USA, UK, Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan,

Netherlands)• 18 universities (Concordia, McGill, Ecole Polytechnique, Sheffield Hallam University,

Uni. Of Nottingham, Politecnico di Torino, Univ. of Massachussetts Lowell, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas do Estado de Sao Paulo,

• National Technical university of Athens, Univ. of Bristol, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Montauniversitaet Leoben, Leibniz-Institut fuer Polymerforschung Dersden, Wichita State University, Stanford University, University of Tokyo.

• 3 research Institutions: (NRC, Institute for carbon composites, Consortium Innovation Polymeres

• 25 companies (Bombardier, Bell, Pratt & Whitney, LIMATB, Mercur Inc., PH Wind Solutions, Siemens, Astrium, EADS, Airborne Technology Center, Hoskin Scientifique, Coriolis, Globe Machine Manufacturing, L-3 MAS, Automated Dynamics, CYTEC, Avior, Innovative Composites Innovation, Henkel Technologies, Boeing, Virtek Vision International, Intactis Innovation et Development, Emergia Aerospace, CG Tech, CSSI,

• 33 oral and 3 poster presentations .

Summary

• Introduced C-ply concept• A new family of herringbone tapes which can

improve speed, quality, and defect tolerance in composites manufacturing.

Professor Stephen Tsai (Stanford University)

• There is still lack of capability of ACM techniques, such as ATL and AFP to produce high performance, relatively small, geometrically complex parts such as honeycomb cored sandwich panels.

• There is a need for the development of a detailed understanding of the conformation, deformation, and variation of properties of the reinforcement used and the interaction between these factors with process conditions and their effects on the quality of the parts.

Professor Kevin Potter (Univ. Bristol)

• In-situ consolidation process for thermoplastic tape placement.

• Suggested adaptive consolidation roller and advanced laying strategies.

Professor Ralf Schledjewski (U. Leoben, Austria)

• Bell Helicopter experience on the introduction of large-scale automated composite manufacturing and outlook of sustainment in a challenging environment

Dr. Paul Oldroyd (Bell Helicopter)

• Showed advantages of fiber placement machines over traditional tape layers.

• A number of R & D programs at NLR where automated fiber placement was used.

Dr. H.G.S.J. Thuis (Natl. Aero. Lab, Netherlands)

• Software tools for simulation.– Technical university of Dresden, Germany– Ecole Centrale Nantes, France– Siemens PLM Software– CGTech Vericut– LEL-CINTEQ, Brazil

• Materials issues– Automation in resin infusion (CYTEC Engineered Materials)– Out of autoclave (Concordia University)– Prepreg tack (U. Nottingham, UK)

• Steered fibers– Variable stiffness plates (Ecole Poly & NRC)

• Components– Engine thrust frame cone (NLR, Netherlands)– Complex parts (Coriolis, EADS), Automated Dynamics

• Thermoplastics– Astrium Space Transportation & Coriolis (Laser heating) (France)– AMTC/NRC

• Lap and Gaps– University of Munich, Fraunhofer Instittue (Germany), McGill University.

Other issues

Copies of presentations are posted on the CACSMA web site (www.cacsma.ca)

Video recordings of the presentations are available at a cost.

Availability

Thank you