Patent ID: 8840742
Filing Date: 2014-09-23
Classification: B29C,B32B,G01N

Abstract:
1. A system for detecting a missing tow in a tow band, comprising a fiber placement head configured to apply a tow band to a substrate to form a composite layup; a heating device configured to preheat the substrate prior to application of the tow band using the fiber placement head; an infrared camera mounted to the fiber placement head and configured to generate a real-time thermal image of the composite layup during the application of the tow band to the substrate; and a comparator communicatively coupled to the infrared camera and comparing a heat signature in an area of the thermal image where a greater amount of heat from an underlying substrate radiates upwardly through a gap in the tow band due to a missing tow relative to the heat signature in the area of the thermal image where a reduced amount of heat radiates upwardly through tows located on opposite sides of the missing tow; and a processor configured to identify a location of opposite ends of the missing tow with regard to a reference point associated with a tow laydown program.