Abstract

This talk will present the long journey from early process development and demonstration to today’s pursuit of fully connected, sensor-rich manufacturing processes. It will highlight how lessons learned from manufacturing trials, material behavior studies, and repair challenges have driven the development of digital tools and quality-by-design frameworks. Two representative examples, Automated Fiber Placement and Composite Forming, will illustrate how collaborative projects with Canadian and international partners have accelerated technology readiness and enabled industrial adoption.

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Biography

Dr. Ali Yousefpour is a principal research officer and leads the Composite Products Team at NRC Aerospace, focusing on advanced manufacturing of thermoplastic and thermoset composites for aerospace and defence applications. Over the past two decades, his work has advanced automated fiber placement, composite forming, and digital process integration, contributing to several national and international R&D collaborations.  He has authored numerous publications and holds several patents in composite manufacturing and in-process inspection technologies. His team’s contributions have been instrumental in advancing  aerospace composite manufacturing and strengthen industrial competitiveness in Canada.