Continued development of automated, in-situ processing for thermoplastic composite structures and components

For a number of years, Automated Dynamics Corp. (ADC) has been developing robotic, in-situ processing of fiber reinforced thermoplastic tape. This development was initially done solely for military applications, but as material prices dropped and processing technology matured, the process has found its place in a number of commercial markets. Some of these markets include industrial rolls & shafts and piping. A major limitation associated with this material and process has been its high cost relative to lower performance thermoset resins and their corresponding processing methods. Recent, ongoing research has shown promise in the area of development of customized composite materials that offer characteristics that enhance the capabilities of in-situ processing. These custom materials offer in-situ processing improved part properties with substantial decreases in processing cost. This translates to increased feasibility for the use of in-situ processing of thermoplastic composites for a much larger variety of demanding commercial applications.