Method and apparatus for fabricating contoured laminate structures
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJames N. Buttrick, Dennis Wayne Stewart, Andrew E. Modin, David Paul Banks, Edoardo Depase, Jesus Sanchez
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Abstract
A forming module for forming a composite laminate part over a tool is provided. The forming module comprises a base, a ply carrier control assembly adapted for controlling the position of a flexible ply carrier on which composite resin plies are mounted, and a head section mounted on the base and adapted for automatically forming the composite resin plies from the ply carrier onto the tool.
Claims20
A forming module for forming a composite laminate part over a tool, the forming module comprising:
- a base;
- a ply carrier control assembly adapted for controlling a position of a flexible ply carrier on which composite resin plies are mounted;
- a head section mounted on the base and adapted for automatically forming the composite resin plies from the ply carrier onto the tool;
- and
- a tool clamp configured to clamp the head section to the tool.
A forming module for forming a composite laminate part over a tool, the forming module comprising:
- a base;
- a ply carrier control assembly comprising a motorized arm supporting a carrier track configured to hold a flexible ply carrier on which composite resin plies are mounted;
- a drive system configured to move the motorized arm and carrier track along multiple axes to position the ply carrier;
- and
- a head section mounted on the base and comprising a cylinder-driven nosepiece configured to form the composite resin plies from the ply carrier onto the tool.
A forming module for forming a composite laminate part over a tool, the forming module comprising:
- a mobile base;
- a carrier track configured to hold a flexible ply carrier on which composite resin plies are mounted;
- a motorized arm supporting the carrier track and configured to move the carrier track along multiple axes to position the flexible ply carrier;
- an index plate;
- a tool clamp configured to clamp a first flange of the tool against the index plate;
- an inner chord clamp configured to clamp a lower edge of the ply carrier and plies against a second flange of the tool;
- and
- a compliant nosepiece configured to form the composite resin plies from the ply carrier onto the tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.