Some Experimental Investigation of Products from Thermoplastic Composite Materials Manufactured with Robot and LAFP

Abstract

For successful avoiding of the irregularities and errors in the products from composite materials, it is important to manage the whole production process in real time. This applies to detecting certain irregularities (positioning defects, bonding defects), controlling the robot and process parameters. This paper presents results from an experimental study of the influence of embedded defects created during in - situ laser automated fiber tape placement (LAFP), on the mechanical properties of carbon/PEEK composites. Three rings have been examined with different designs [(0/±45˚)n], [(0/±30˚)n] and [(0/±90˚)n], in which gaps and overlaps have been introduced during fiber placement. The microstructures were characterized by optic microscopy. ILSS tests were performed on samples from rings and showed that the presence of a gap/overlap and voids more than 3% affect mechanical behavior of pipes but does not affect degree of crystallinity.