James A. Sherwood

Papers

Total Citations

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About

James A. Sherwood is a leading figure in the mechanics of composite materials and manufacturing processes. His research focuses on the simulation and optimization of automated composite draping, addressing critical challenges in the aerospace and automotive industries. Sherwood’s most-cited work, "Generation of feasible gripper trajectories in automated composite draping by means of optimization" (2019, 23 citations), tackles the problem of accurately placing tacky prepreg fabrics onto mold surfaces without defects. This contribution is vital for reducing waste and improving efficiency in high-volume composite production. Beyond this, Sherwood has made significant strides in understanding material behavior during forming, developing computational models that predict fabric wrinkling and fiber orientation. His work bridges the gap between theoretical mechanics and practical manufacturing, earning him recognition as a key innovator in process simulation. With a career dedicated to advancing lightweight, high-strength material systems, Sherwood’s research continues to shape the future of sustainable and automated composite manufacturing.