METHODS FOR OPERATION OF LAYUP CELL DURING COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING AND ASSOCIATED LAYUP CELLS

Abstract: a method for operation of a layup cell during composite manufacturing includes running a compaction application program at a robot control system of the layup cell using a path plan data file defining a path plan for automated manipulation of a compaction roller for compacting a ceramic matrix composite ply on a layup tool, capturing image data of the ceramic matrix composite ply after compaction on the layup tool using a surface imaging device, at least temporarily storing the image data for the ceramic matrix composite ply after compaction in a ply image data file and processing the ply image data file to identify one or more areas of the ceramic matrix composite ply that require re-compaction. the layup cell includes the layup tool, the ceramic matrix composite ply, the robot control system, a robotic arm and at least one end effector.

Inventor(s): Brice A. Johnson, Brian J. Smith, Sangvavann Heng, Christopher R. Brown, Lisa C. Zgherea, Erik N. Wienhold, Ricardo A. Fritzke, Satyandra Kumar Gupta, Alec Christopher Kanyuck, Kshitij Sidana, Marc G. Simpson

CPC Classification: B29C70/384 (SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms ; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together - ))

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