Progress in automated ply inspection of AFP layups

Manual inspection of the layups created by large Automated Fiber Placement machines is very time consuming and a significant cost driver. Using very accurate and very fast commercially available sensors combined with specialty software, layup inspection can now be performed automatically. This provides productivity improvements, digital records of the as-made part, improved accuracy and part cost reduction. The development of an Automated Ply Inspection (API) procedure for NASA is described.