Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) Tow Steering Calculator

4. Engineering Notes & Physics Specifications

Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) Tow Steering Mechanics: AFP enables automated deposition of continuous carbon fiber tows along curvilinear trajectories (variable-stiffness laminates). When a flat tow is steered along an in-plane curve of radius $R$, the outer edge experiences tensile strain while the inner edge is subjected to compressive strain: $$\epsilon = \pm \frac{b}{2 R}$$

Wrinkling & Puckering Criterion: Compressive strain on the inner radius triggers out-of-plane fiber buckling (wrinkling) if $R < R_{min}$. The minimum permitted steering radius before structural defect formation is: $$R_{min} = \frac{b}{2 \cdot \epsilon_{crit}} = \frac{b}{2 \cdot \sqrt{\frac{G_{12}}{\pi^2 E_{11}}} \cdot \left(\frac{t}{b}\right)}$$