There are some phenomena happen for automated fiber placement of sandwich structures

such as the honeycomb is prone to crush due to the compression of head

the bridge at the interface between the honeycomb and the bottom

the head contact with the honeycomb

etc. To solve the above problems

the automated fiber placement for honeycomb structures were investigated

which included the heating parameters and the compression force

the simulation of the placement

the stage of the honeycomb core

and the limit angle of the honeycomb

etc. The fiber placement path of sandwich structures were designed and the sandwich structures were manufactured

meanwhile the defects during the process were classified and analyzed

and solved experimentally. The investigation shows that the heating parameter would affect the layup ability of the prepreg

overheating can burn the prepreg. To assure the layup quality

the angle of the honeycomb is better to be less than 30 degree

and the honeycomb has a smooth connection with the bottom

the last but not the least

the size and the position of the honeycomb is crucial for the process quality.