Abstract: Based on carbon fiber reinforced resin composites IM7/CYCOM5320-1 out-of-autoclave (OOA) prepreg, the laying process in automated fiber placement(AFP) was analyzed. The optimized process parameters in AFP were obtained. The cure kinetic and visocosity behavoir of CYCOM5230-1 resin were analyzed. A short time cure cycle was developed. Properties of OOA composite made by the developed cure cycle were evaluated. The result shows that gaps defects induced by laying process will result in voids in the final composite part. By adjusting the distance of adjacent prepreg tows, as well as the process parameters(compaction force of 180 N, heating temperature of 50℃, laying speed of 0.20 m/s), the final composite part shows an even surface and good quality. Thermal analysis reveals that CYCOM5230-1 resin has a high viscosity at room temperature, which is benefit for air evacuation in out-of-autoclave process. The short time cure cycle improves production rate. The OOA composite made by the short time cure cycle can reach the similar fiber volume fraction of 59% and porosity of 0.5%, while compared to the traditional cure cycle. In addition, the composite manufactured by the short time cure cycle has the comparable quality of autoclave composite.