Disclosed is a method of positioning a limp flat workpiece is described, wherein the flat workpiece is provided in a random state on a manipulation surface. Subsequently, a camera image showing the flat workpiece is generated, and a grippable edge of the flat workpiece is identified by extracting characteristic image features of the camera image. Thereafter, a first gripping point for a first gripper and a second gripping point for a second gripper are determined, the second gripping point being spaced apart from the first gripping point. Also disclosed is positioning device for positioning a limp flat workpiece is presented.

A method is disclosed and includes determining at least one of a height field and an orientation field of a fiber-reinforced structure. The fiber-reinforced structure includes a plurality of fiber portions and a polymer matrix. The method includes generating a reaction-diffusion representation of the fiber-reinforced structure. The reaction-diffusion representation indicates a concentration of at least one of the polymer matrix and the plurality of fiber portions. The method includes designating a reference fiber deposition path based on the reaction-diffusion representation. The method includes generating a continuous fiber deposition path based on the reference fiber deposition path. The method includes transmitting a signal representing the continuous fiber deposition path to a deposition device, the deposition device using the continuous fiber deposition path to deposit a fiber of the fiber-reinforced structure.

A method is disclosed and includes determining at least one of a height field and an orientation field of a fiber-reinforced structure. The fiber-reinforced structure includes a plurality of fiber portions and a polymer matrix. The method includes generating a reaction-diffusion representation of the fiber-reinforced structure. The reaction-diffusion representation indicates a concentration of at least one of the polymer matrix and the plurality of fiber portions. The method includes designating a reference fiber deposition path based on the reaction-diffusion representation. The method includes generating a continuous fiber deposition path based on the reference fiber deposition path. The method includes transmitting a signal representing the continuous fiber deposition path to a deposition device, the deposition device using the continuous fiber deposition path to deposit a fiber of the fiber-reinforced structure.

A deformable thin object spreading device and method are disclosed. The device includes a control part configured to: control a clamping unit and a moving mechanism to cause the clamping unit to clamp a first point of a deformable thin object; cause an endpoint detecting part to detect a first endpoint; control the clamping unit and the moving mechanism to cause the clamping unit to clamp the first endpoint; cause the endpoint detecting part to detect a second endpoint; control the clamping unit and the moving mechanism to cause the clamping unit to clamp both of the first endpoint and the second endpoint; cause the endpoint detecting part to detect a third endpoint; and control the clamping unit and the moving mechanism to cause the clamping unit to clamp both of the first endpoint or the second endpoint and the third endpoint of the deformable thin object.