UROP Project

Simulating Robotic Fiber Placement for Smarter Manufacturing

Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), digital twin, 6DOF robotic arm, path planning, composite manufacturing, robot simulation, manufacturing data generation
Research Mentor: Paul Davidson,
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechancial and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: paul.davidson@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Mechanical, Aerospace, Computer Science.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
  • Day: Monday, August 31
    Start Time: 1:00
    End Time: 1:30
    Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/launch/chat?src=direct_chat_link&email=pd26l@fsu.edu
  • Day: Tuesday, September 1
    Start Time: 1:00
    End Time: 1:30
    Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/launch/chat?src=direct_chat_link&email=pd26l@fsu.edu

Project Description

Building a computer simulations that mirrors how a robot lays down carbon fiber material to make aircraft structural parts. The simulation will serve as a testbed for training future AI/ML models to improve the process.

Research Tasks: This project develops an open-source simulation pipeline that mirrors the process of a robotic arm laying down carbon fiber to build structural parts. Starting from a fiber path design, the system translates geometric intent into robot motion, simulates execution, and logs the full process state at each step. Over two semesters, an undergraduate researcher will build and validate this pipeline using freely available robotics and simulation tools. The end product is a functioning digital twin that generates rich, structured data from varied manufacturing scenarios, laying the groundwork for future machine learning models aimed at defect prediction, process optimization, and quality control in robotic composite manufacturing.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Good to have:
* Coding skills using python.
* Some experience or knowledge of composites and composite manufacturing (not a deal breaker)

Mentoring Philosophy

I believe good mentoring is built around the work itself. A compelling project creates natural momentum, it sets the standard, surfaces the hard questions, and drives the student to grow into the skills the problem demands. My role is to frame the challenge clearly, share relevant experience as it becomes useful, and hold the work to a high bar. Progress on the project and development of the student happen together, not separately. The end goal is a finished, usable piece of work that the student can point to with pride and that the field can build on.

Additional Information


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