Intrinsic fibre heating: a novel approach for automated dry fibre placement

The present study deals with a novel binder activation approach for automated dry fibre placement. Via application of an electrical current within carbon fibre tows, ohmic heating is used for activation of binder systems. The working principle of intrinsic fibre heating is demonstrated within two prototype devices: A handheld tape laying device for the manual application of pre-bindered carbon fibre tows is introduced. Furthermore the automation potential of intrinsic fibre heating is demonstrated within a unique fibre laying approach: the Advanced Ply Placement (APP).