System and method for determining cumulative tow gap width

摘要

A system (22) for determining cumulative tow gap (33) width includes an in-process vision system (1) having at least one camera (18) adapted to record images of a composite material (30) and a data analysis computer (24) communicating with and adapted to receive image data from the in-process vision system (1). The data analysis computer (24) may be adapted to calculate a cumulative gap width of tow gaps (33) in the composite material (30). A user interface (26) may communicate with and be adapted to receive data analysis results from the data analysis computer (24). A method for determining cumulative tow width gap of tow gaps (33) in a composite structure (30) is also disclosed.