FibreMap - Automatic Mapping of Fibre Orientation for Draping of Carbon Fibre Parts.

This project aims at the development of an automatic quality control and feedback mechanism to improve draping of carbon fibres on complex parts. There is a strong need in the automotive industry for automatic systems that perform quality control and improve draping processes in order to allow high production volumes. The technology that is being developed in the project will include a new sensor system for robust detection of fibre orientation combined with a robotic system to scan complex parts. This is based on a new technology that uses reflection models of carbon fibre to solve the problems encountered with earlier vision-based approaches. The data coming from the inspection system will be fed into draping simulation to improve the accuracy of the processes. Draping is the process of placing woven carbon material on typically complex 3D parts (preforms) with the goal of having the fibres oriented along specific directions predicted by finite element calculations. This is done to maximize the strength-to-weight ratio of the part.

The IAS-Lab contributes to this project developing algorithms for measuring fiber orientation during the draping process. This is done by means of image processing techniques and 3D data modeling for taking into account the perspective effect. The IAS-Lab is also responsible for the development of the experimental workcell, composed of a camera installed on an articulated robot.

More information can be found in the FibreMap web page