Introduction
The article examines the development of Automated Tape Laying (ATL) as a manufacturing process for layering material, known as prepreg tape, onto a mold surface in a specific direction to build up layers. The process is similar to additive manufacturing, or the reverse of machining, as material is added rather than removed. The development of these systems has a long history, starting with the use of carbon fiber in aerospace manufacturing in the 1960s. The article discusses the various developmental stages of ATL and explains why they function in their current form and why they may not be in high demand.
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Automated Tape Laying Development from the 1980s to 1990s: Challenges and Advances
ATL (Automated Tape Layering) Process for Prepreg Layup in Aerospace Manufacturing
Historical Developments of Automated Tape Laying: 1960-1980
![Drawing of an ATL delivering slit tape over a curved surface [2]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dfe896_880ec6a36a5b4743baf840850f9713a3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_334,h_324,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/dfe896_880ec6a36a5b4743baf840850f9713a3~mv2.png)