An automated fiber-placement system, comprising: a dispenser, configured to dispense at least one fiber-reinforced tape strip, and wherein: at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip comprises a first longitudinal tape-edge and a second longitudinal tape-edge, parallel to the first longitudinal tape-edge and spaced from the first longitudinal tape-edge by a tape-strip width; and at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip comprises a resin tape-matrix and unidirectional reinforcement fibers, imbedded in the resin tape-matrix; a compactor, configured to receive at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip from a leading side of the compactor and to compact at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip against a substrate; a steering mechanism, configured to manipulate the dispenser and the compactor in three-dimensional space relative to the substrate; an energy source, configured to deliver a first quantity of pulsed energy and a second quantity of pulsed energy to the leading side of the compactor for respectively heating, to a first temperature, first discrete portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip and, to a second temperature, second discrete portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip, alternating with the first discrete portions along at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip; and a controller, programmed to control pulse frequency, pulse power, or pulse duration of the first quantity of pulsed energy and the second quantity of pulsed energy and also programmed to selectively cause the steering mechanism to place at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip against the substrate at least along a virtual curvilinear path, such that: at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip is centered on the virtual curvilinear path; and the first discrete portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip are transformed into discrete tape-regions, geometrically different from the first discrete portions; and wherein the virtual curvilinear path is nonplanar. a dispenser, configured to dispense at least one fiber-reinforced tape strip, and wherein: at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip comprises a first longitudinal tape-edge and a second longitudinal tape-edge, parallel to the first longitudinal tape-edge and spaced from the first longitudinal tape-edge by a tape-strip width; and at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip comprises a resin tape-matrix and unidirectional reinforcement fibers, imbedded in the resin tape-matrix; at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip comprises a first longitudinal tape-edge and a second longitudinal tape-edge, parallel to the first longitudinal tape-edge and spaced from the first longitudinal tape-edge by a tape-strip width; and at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip comprises a resin tape-matrix and unidirectional reinforcement fibers, imbedded in the resin tape-matrix; a compactor, configured to receive at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip from a leading side of the compactor and to compact at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip against a substrate; a steering mechanism, configured to manipulate the dispenser and the compactor in three-dimensional space relative to the substrate; an energy source, configured to deliver a first quantity of pulsed energy and a second quantity of pulsed energy to the leading side of the compactor for respectively heating, to a first temperature, first discrete portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip and, to a second temperature, second discrete portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip, alternating with the first discrete portions along at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip; and a controller, programmed to control pulse frequency, pulse power, or pulse duration of the first quantity of pulsed energy and the second quantity of pulsed energy and also programmed to selectively cause the steering mechanism to place at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip against the substrate at least along a virtual curvilinear path, such that: at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip is centered on the virtual curvilinear path; and the first discrete portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip are transformed into discrete tape-regions, geometrically different from the first discrete portions; and wherein the virtual curvilinear path is nonplanar. at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip is centered on the virtual curvilinear path; and the first discrete portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip are transformed into discrete tape-regions, geometrically different from the first discrete portions; and wherein the virtual curvilinear path is nonplanar.