Automated tape laying (ATL) and automated fiber placement (AFP) are processes that use computer-guided robotics to lay one or several layers of carbon fiber tape or tows onto a mold to create a part or structure.
Recent advancements in automated composite fabrication machines are generating much excitement – and with good reason. Driven mostly by aerospace, but with technology quickly transferring to other industries, productive automated composite lay-up machinery is becoming a reality. One of our goals is to help demystify the process of programming automated composite machinery by introducing the key components of machine independent off-line programming software. After all, how hard could it be?