Abstract: The use of human inspectors for validation of critical manufacturing characteristics is inefficient and has many opportunities for error. Human factors in composites process monitoring have allowed parts to be built with the wrong manufacturing data, incorrect materials and fiber orientations, FOD, mislocated and missing plies, as well as plies out of sequence. A series of new, objective, ply verification technologies have entered production, or are at Technology Readiness Levels close to entering production. The history, implementation benefits and limits of these process control technologies is discussed.

The paper will be presented during SME Composites Manufacturing 2011 show, Enabling Technologies for Design & Manufacturing session, Fort Worth, Texas. October 18, 2011, 2:00pm-3:30pm.