Automated Handling and Draping of Reinforcing Textiles : Challenges and Developments

The handling of dry, pre-impregnated semi-finished textiles in the production of fibre-rein-forced structures with complex geometries is still performed mainly manually resulting in long processing times, low reproducibility and high manufacturing costs. In this context, the scope of the project AutoHD is to fully automate the draping and handling process of complex, three-dimensional fibre composite structures with high degrees of deformation and multiaxial curvature. Based on the involved subsystems, this contribution presents challenges and progresses of ongoing research and future investigations.