Expert Lecture Spotlight | Kevin Potter
Automating the Lay-up of Geometrically Complex Composite Structures Made from Preimpregnated Reinforcements: A Route to a Roadmap
Much progress has been made in automating the lay-up of prepreg reinforcements for primary composite structures like wing skins, spars, and fuselages—components that dominate the structural weight of aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. Technologies like Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) have been instrumental in achieving this.
But what about the vast number of geometrically complex secondary and tertiary composite structures—from wing surfaces and engine nacelles to aircraft interiors?These components:
Often require manual lay-up,
Are frequently off-shored for low labor costs,
And yet, do not consistently yield the expected cost savings.
As global labor dynamics evolve, manual manufacturing is no longer a sustainable strategy. In this talk, Kevin Potter explores:
• Why automation for complex parts has lagged behind,
• What non-technical and technical blockers exist,
• And how we might chart a realistic roadmap toward effective automation.
A must-watch for those invested in the future of composites manufacturing and the digital transformation of aerospace production.
Now available on the cdmHUB YouTube channel as part of the Global Composites Expert Webinar Series.
