Abstract
We report the development of an optical sensing system for flexible manufacturing of aerospace components from advanced thermoplastic composite materials. This new manufacturing approach uses computer-controlled rollers to bend sheets of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic matrix composite material to a desired shape rather than pressing layers of fiber and matrix into fixed molds or dies, as with current thermoset composite materials (Fig. 1). Feedback control is essential for maintaining close finished part tolerance; during processing the local curvature of the plate, its thickness, temperature, and velocity must be monitored at many points.
© 1986 Optical Society of America
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