Process control in both automated and manual production of composites structures is essential to ensure that the "as-built" part is an accurate realization of the characteristics chosen by the part designer. Manufacturing variations from the nominal design can result in compromised part performance or even structural failure. The lack of efficient, near-real-time, quantitative reporting of part characteristics during part fabrication results in an uncertainty requiring overdesign, with corresponding extra material and weight. An in-process vision system that compares design model and as-built characteristics has been operated on a complex preform as well as hand laid prepreg material. The system and its operation are described along with results achieved in initial applications.

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