Simulation and on-line monitoring using optical fiber Bragg grating sensors of temperature history during laser-assisted automated fiber placement

Automated fiber placement (AFP) in situ consolidation (ISC) of thermoplastic composite possess the potential to reduce manufacturing costs and improve manufacturing efficiency. The properties of composite manufactured by the ISC are affected by several mechanisms including polymer degradation, crystallization, intimate contact, polymer healing and void dynamics. All these mechanisms are directly affected by the temperature history. Consequently, the control and accurate measurement of temperature history during ISC are particularly important for improving the properties of composite. In this study, a simplified three-dimensional transient heat transfer model was established. The effect of tool temperature and placement speed on the temperature history and peak temperature were predicted. Simultaneously, an online temperature monitoring system was built and the optical Fiber Bragg Grating sensors (FBGS) was used to measure the temperature history. The results indicated that the predicted results of the model were consistent with the measured results, the error was below 8%. In addition, the temperature history of layers was significantly affected by the tool temperature and placement speed. The temperature of the layers decreased to near the tool temperature after cooling, and a higher tool temperature increasing its peak temperature because of the reduce of the cooling rate. On the contrary, an increase in placement speed will reduce the peak temperature of the layers.