Ply Orientation-Driven Path Planning with Multi Reference Paths for Robotic Fiber Placement on Mesh Surface

This article reports an investigation of path planning with multi reference paths for robotic fiber placement (RFP) on open-contoured mesh surface. The new method considers the ply orientation information determined by loading characteristics, divides one surface into different parts according to the ply orientation information and then designs different initial reference paths in different parts. This article also proposes new up-layer design in order to make up for defects between parts and improve strength.