Design of simulation system for fiber placement based on CATIA CAA

Fiber placement is one of the most popular processing techniques in fabricating composites in aviation and aerospace industries, due to its capability of placing prepregs or tapes precisely in the exact position when manufacturing complex parts. This paper presents a motion simulation framework for fiber placement, which is critical in validating the fiber placement path and preventing the possible collision and damage among machine, mandrel and operator. The linkage coordinate system was established according to the physical characteristics of a fiber placement machine. The coordinate information of multi-axes which move coordinately to implement the fiber placement path designed in the CAD system, was achieved by an algorithm which decouples the spindle and manipulator. Moreover, three criteria were proposed to check the feasibility of fiber paths and coordinated motion of multi-axes. Finally, the correctness and feasibility of proposed algorithms and fiber placement paths were verified by fiber placement simulation of an airplane inlet.