Background
Lightweight carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (CF-TPCs) have been widely recognized as the materials capable of meeting the future aerospace market rate demands with potential recyclability. This project team seeks to develop an automated welding solution that will decrease the time spent on the welding process and expand the application from small and simple parts to large and complex parts.
Objective
Three heat generation methods dominate the application and development of welding carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites, but none are accepted for large, complex aircraft components.
Technical Approach
This project seeks to create a robotic approach to applying induction welding for joining large carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites aircraft components through innovations in planning, in-situ sensing and control, and physics-based modeling.
Participants
Raytheon Technologies Research Center (PI), GrayMatter Robotics, University of South Carolina