Abstract: Automated fiber placement is a very important composite automation forming method. This paper proposed a new general mechanism and control system solutions of fiber placement machine driven by an air cylinder and a pressure roller cutter as actuator to achieve fiber cutting and clamping. A new type of tension control system with linear displacement sensor as the feedback element is constructed. Meanwhile, an open control system based on the main stream of industrial control computer (IPC) and motion controller (UMAC) is designed. Finally, the related placement experiments are carried out. The operation results show that the motion of each axis is in good condition, the control system is stable, the design of each module is reasonable and the expected effect is achieved.

Key words: automated fiber placement, composite, control system, UMAC, placement equipment