In a method of automating engineering design a knowledge base (KB) is queried for a template to map with new control loop (CL) data of a new CL that was identified in new digitized design data for a new engineering project, the query including the new CL data. The KB is trained to map past CL data of past CLs identified in past digitized design data from past engineering projects to respective templates based on past instantiation of the respective templates with the past CLs by the past engineering projects. The method further includes receiving a selected template in response to the query, wherein the selected template is selected based on its mapping with past CL data that matches the new CL data, and providing configuration data, including an instantiation of the selected template with the new CL data, for implementation of the new CL in an engineering system.

An automated fiber-placement method comprises delivering a first quantity of pulsed energy to first discrete portions of at least one fiber-reinforced tape strip, and delivering a second quantity of pulsed energy to second discrete portions of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip, alternating with the first discrete portions. The first quantity of pulsed energy heats the first discrete portions to a first temperature. The second quantity of pulsed energy heats the second discrete portions to a second temperature. The automated fiber-placement method further comprises laying down at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip against a substrate along a virtual curvilinear path, such that (i) at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip is centered on the virtual curvilinear path, and (ii) the first discrete portions are transformed into discrete tape-regions, geometrically different from the first discrete portions.

An automated fiber-placement method (300) comprises delivering a first quantity of pulsed energy (122) to first discrete portions (124) of at least one fiber-reinforced tape strip (104), and delivering a second quantity of pulsed energy (123) to second discrete portions (125) of at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip (104), alternating with the first discrete portions (124). The first quantity of pulsed energy (122) heats the first discrete portions (124) to a first temperature. The second quantity of pulsed energy (123) heats the second discrete portions (125) to a second temperature. The automated fiber-placement method (300) further comprises laying down at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip (104) against a substrate (116) along a virtual curvilinear path (128), such that (i) at least the one fiber-reinforced tape strip (104) is centered on the virtual curvilinear path (128), and (ii) the first discrete portions (124) are transformed into discrete tape-regions (148), geometrically different from the first discrete portions (124).