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Tailored Fiber Placement

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Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) is an embroidery-based tow-steering process that enables complete control over fiber placement and directionality in a composite preform.  During the process, continuous tow is stitched to a backing material using numerical control.  The result is highly engineered composite structures that take full advantage of the anisotropic nature of fiber reinforcement.

Advantages of TFP include:

  • Construction of highly efficient, complex preforms
  • Automated preforming process
  • No waste
  • Z-stitching for out-of-plane performance

Modeling and Design

To take full advantage of this technology, UDRI has developed custom topology optimization software specifically for TFP that allow its engineers to design highly optimized structures.  These models are then fed into conventional FEA programs to analyze performance.TFP Optimization Results

We also offer a suite of in-house tools for design of composite structures and devices. Learn more about Composite Optimization

Preform Fabrication and Composite Production

UDRI’s composite engineers use TFP to create full preforms as well as to locally reinforce conventional fabric.

TFP Preform Fabrication

TFP Preform Fabrication photo 2

UDRI make use of its tool design/manufacturing capabilities and composite processing expertise to infuse and cure.

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Characterization

UDRI has characterized countless combinations of materials and stitch parameters to give designers confidence in the performance of their final component.  This performance can be validated at UDRI test facilities via mechanical testing and/or nondestructive evaluation.

 

Examples:

TFP Example 2

TFP Example 3

 

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TFP Example 6

UDRI's TFP Tailored Fiber Placement work is supported by over 700 employees and a wide range of composite material expertise. Learn more here:

 

For more information:

Scott Huelskamp
Senior Composites Engineer
Phone: 937-229-3045
Email: Scott.Huelskamp@udri.udayton.edu

 

 

CONTACT

University of Dayton Research Institute


300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 0101
937-229-2113
Email