Design Optimization and Analysis Validation of Complex Composite Parts Manufactured Using Fiber Patch Placement
摘要
Automated fiber placement (AFP) enhances production rates with consistency, lead-times, costs, and material yield compared to hand layup. However, AFP often generates scrap due to leftover materials in the creel and struggles with defects like puckers and wrinkles in highly contoured or complex parts. To overcome these challenges, a hybrid of additive and fiber placement technologies called fiber patch placement (FPP) are being introduced for producing geometrically complex fiber composites and curvilinear reinforcements. This multi-robotic process enables a new degree of freedom in fiber deposition at a significantly higher rate. After completing structural analysis and optimization that meets part requirements, the design is transferred to a software package for optimizing patch placement and generating a tool path and numerical computer (NC) codes for robotics. Offline programming and simulation facilitate virtual manufacturing access. By leveraging high-performance robotics and technological advances, FPP aims to bridge the manufacturing requirements for the production of geometrically complex fiber composite parts. This study presents manufacturing and modeling methodologies for engineering FPP parts, encompassing patch modeling, FPP properties integration into finite element models, and design analysis. This study also details FPP composite manufacturing and testing and evaluates strength knockdowns for design method development. By expanding on foundations and findings from finite element modeling, validation extended to a cylindrical part with variable radii under compression testing. Test results closely matched analysis models, confirming the reliability of modeling tools with complex FPP design.