Benchtop-AFP: An Exploration of Democratised Automated Fibre Placement

Abstract

This paper outlines the creation and evaluation of Benchtop-AFP, an innovative approach to producing composite materials akin to Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) but without the high capital expenses typical of traditional AFP methods. This unique technique, with further refinement, could serve as a valuable tool for research and development in automated fibre placement. As a world first, it aims to democratise AFP research, particularly for institutions where access to full-scale AFP facilities is unavailable and limited due to financial, skills, or safety constraints. This article presents the new method and provides examples of samples generated using this technique.