Thermal characteristics analysis of filament placement equipment based on refined finite element method

Gantry automatic fiber placement (AFP) equipment is a strategic tool for high-precision and efficient manufacturing of large composite components in the aerospace field, such as aircraft wing surfaces and orbital modules. It plays a critical role in enhancing component processing efficiency and quality. However, due to its high fiber placement speed, complex motion dynamics, and multiple operational motors, large gantry AFP machines generate significant heat, leading to thermal errors in the machine tool that severely degrade fiber placement accuracy. This can result in reduced product quality and, in extreme cases, elevate safety risks for aircraft and other aerospace products. In this study, a finite element model (FEM) of the gantry AFP equipment was established. Using Ansys Workbench, thermal characteristics of the entire machine were simulated to derive the temperature distribution and deformation fields during operation. Thermal errors in the feed system and primary structural components were analyzed. The full machine simulation experiment provides basic theoretical guidance for the subsequent placement of temperature measurement points on the machine structure.