Path planning algorithms for automated fiber placement are used to determine the directions of the fiber paths and the start and end positions on the mold surfaces. The quality of the fiber paths determines largely the efficiency and quality of the automated fiber placement process. The presented work investigated an efficient path planning algorithm based on surface meshing. In addition, an update method of the datum direction vector via a guide-line update strategy was proposed to make the path planning algorithm applicable for complex surfaces. Finally, accuracy analysis was performed on the proposed algorithm and it can be adopted as the reference for the triangulation parameter selection for the path planning algorithm.

Tribological properties of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites used in reciprocating contact should be improved to secure the efficiency and safety because of risks of abrasion, adhesion, and fatigue deficiency amidst fiber, matrix, or interphase. This paper investigates the influence of graphene reinforcement on the wear resistance of a GFRP composite. Graphene was integrated into a typical GFRP composite as the surface coating using a modified resin film infusion method with the percolating paper assisted. Dry reciprocating sliding tests were performed against a stainless steel ball moving in a direction 45 degrees to the fiber orientation. The morphology of the worn surface was observed, and the corresponding wear mechanisms are discussed. Results suggest that the prepared graphene coating improves the wear resistance of the GFRP composite. The protected GFRP laminates remained intact during the first 20 min of the wear test and only a small fraction of fibers were broken after 60 min test. Furthermore, abrasive debris and fiber breaks originating from composite were markedly reduced, likely owing to the formation of a protective transfer film between the surface of the modified composite and the rubbing counterpart.