Forming apparatus, method, and system

A system comprising:

• a forming apparatus comprising:
• a frame defining a vertical axis, a horizontal axis, and a longitudinal axis;
• a carriage movably connected to the frame;
• a first end effector movably connected to the carriage, said first end effector controlled by an actuator;
• a second end effector movably connected to the carriage, said second end effector is laterally opposed from said first end effector relative to the longitudinal axis;
• a first stomp foot movably connected to the carriage, said first stomp foot laterally adjacent to the first end effector;
• a second stomp foot movably connected to the carriage, said second stomp foot located laterally between the first stomp foot and the second end effector;
• and
• a ply support feature located below the first stomp foot and the second stomp foot;
• a forming tool;
• and
• at least one ply of composite material;
• wherein the first end effector comprises a first inflatable bladder and a first jacking screw and the second end effector comprises a second inflatable bladder and a second jacking screw;
• wherein the first jacking screw manipulates the first inflatable bladder to conform to concave or convex profiles and to control a first radius of the first inflatable bladder and the second jacking screw manipulates the second inflatable bladder to conform to concave or convex profiles and to control a second radius of the second inflatable bladder;
• wherein the first radius of the first inflatable bladder and the second radius of the second inflatable bladder are independently manipulated.

A forming apparatus comprising:

• a frame defining a vertical axis, a horizontal axis, and a longitudinal axis;
• a carriage movably connected to the frame;
• a first end effector movably connected to the carriage;
• a first stomp foot movably connected to the carriage and laterally adjacent to the first end effector relative to the longitudinal axis;
• a second stomp foot movably connected to the carriage and laterally adjacent to the first stomp foot relative to the longitudinal axis;
• a second end effector movably connected to the carriage and laterally adjacent to the second stomp foot relative to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a ply support feature located below the first stomp foot and the second stomp foot;
• wherein the first end effector comprises a first inflatable bladder and a first jacking screw and the second end effector comprises a second inflatable bladder and a second jacking screw;
• wherein the first jacking screw manipulates the first inflatable bladder to conform to concave or convex profiles and to control a first radius of the first inflatable bladder and the second jacking screw manipulates the second inflatable bladder to conform to concave or convex profiles and to control a second radius of the second inflatable bladder;
• wherein the first radius of the first inflatable bladder and the second radius of the second inflatable bladder are independently manipulated.