Automated Sequential Ultrasonic Welding on a full-scale Thermoplastic Composite Fuselage demonstrator

Multi-spot sequential ultrasonic welding is a promising joining technique for thermoplastic composites in an overlap configuration. In the framework of the EU Clean Sky 2 Multi-functional fuselage demonstrator (MFFD) and the lower shell SmarT multifUNctioNal and INteGrated TP fuselage (STUNNING) projects, a robot-based sequential ultrasonic spot...

Robotic sequential ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic composites: Process development and testing

Multi-spot sequential ultrasonic welding is a promising joining technique for fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites structures (TPC). In existing research on the multi-spot sequential ultrasonic welding process, welds are produced through the use of a static table-top welding machine, at a coupon level. However, in order to apply this...

Deconsolidation of thermoplastic prepreg tapes during rapid laser heating

In this study, the effect of rapid laser heating, which is typical during laser-assisted fiber placement (LAFP), on the micro- and meso- structure of the thermoplastic tape was investigated. Thermoplastic tapes were heated above the melting temperature with different heated lengths (30 and 80 mm and heating times (0.2 and 0.8 s) in a dedicated...