Automated profile preforming for structural components

The work presented in this paper addresses various techniques for automated preforming of profiles for structural components made from fiber-reinforced polymer composites. After reviewing the existing preforming techniques, a quantitative comparison with respect to two different application scenarios is presented. The technology comparison is conducted individually for the two application scenarios by means of a weighted decision matrix approach incorporating a list of technical and economic criteria. The preforming costs are derived by means of a bottom-up cost estimation model and are incorporated in the technology comparison.