Prepreg debacker and method of layup

A method of removing backing film from a sheet element of preimpregnated material, the sheet element comprising a top face, a bottom face, and a peripheral edge, and sheets of backing film adhered to each of the top face and the bottom face of the sheet element, the backing film having a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the sheet element, a plane of the sheet element being defined by the peripheral edge, the method comprising the steps of:

• cooling the sheet element to create a shear strain between the backing films and the sheet element;
• directing a fluid stream at a portion of the peripheral edge, the fluid stream having an average vector that is in the plane of the sheet element, the fluid stream causing the backing films to separate from the top face and the bottom face of the sheet element at the portion of the peripheral edge;
• and
• simultaneously applying a differential pressure to the backing films on each of the top face and the bottom face of the sheet element relative to the fluid stream to cause the backing films to be removed from the sheet element.