Transverse tensioning system and method for continuous compression molding of a stack of plies

A method for continuous compression molding of a stack of plies, the method comprising:

• feeding a stack of plies in a feed direction between a first left-side clamp element and a second left-side clamp element of a left-side clamping assembly and between a first right-side clamp element and a second right-side clamp element of a right-side clamping assembly at an entry side of a press unit to an exit side of the press unit;
• pressing opposing dies of the press unit together against the stack of plies, as the stack of plies is fed in the feed direction, such that complimentary forming surfaces of the opposing dies shape the stack of plies as the stack of plies is fed in the feed direction;
• and
• clamping a left edge portion of the stack of plies between the first left-side clamp element and the second left-side clamp element and clamping a right edge portion of the stack of plies between the first right-side clamp element and the second right-side clamp element as the stack of plies is fed in the feed direction such that tension in the stack of plies is maintained as the stack of plies is shaped by the opposing dies;
• wherein:
• at least one of the first left-side clamp element and the second left-side clamp element comprises a plurality of left-side rollers and a left-side track that is frictionally engageable with the left edge portion of the stack of plies and movable along the plurality of left-side rollers when frictionally engaged with the left edge portion of the stack of plies;
• at least one of the first right-side clamp element and the second right-side clamp element comprises a plurality of right-side rollers and a right-side track that is frictionally engageable with the right edge portion of the stack of plies and movable along the plurality of right-side rollers when frictionally engaged with the right edge portion of the stack of plies;
• each roller of the plurality of left-side rollers is individually and selectively movable to adjust at least one of a distance of the roller toward or away from the stack of plies or a pressure between the rollers and the stack of plies;
• and
• each roller of the plurality of right-side rollers is individually and selectively movable to adjust at least one of a distance of the roller toward or away from the stack of plies or a pressure between the rollers and the stack of plies.

A method for continuous compression molding of a stack of plies, the method comprising:

• feeding a stack of plies in a feed direction between a first left-side clamp element and a second left-side clamp element of a left-side clamping assembly and between a first right-side clamp element and a second right-side clamp element of a right-side clamping assembly at an entry side of a press unit to an exit side of the press unit;
• pressing opposing dies of the press unit together against the stack of plies, as the stack of plies is fed in the feed direction, such that complimentary forming surfaces of the opposing dies shape the stack of plies as the stack of plies is fed in the feed direction;
• and
• clamping a left edge portion of the stack of plies between the first left-side clamp element and the second left-side clamp element and clamping a right edge portion of the stack of plies between the first right-side clamp element and the second right-side clamp element as the stack of plies is fed in the feed direction such that tension in the stack of plies is maintained as the stack of plies is shaped by the opposing dies;
• wherein:
• at least one of the first left-side clamp element and the second left-side clamp element comprises a plurality of left-side rollers and a left-side track that is frictionally engageable with the left edge portion of the stack of plies and movable along the plurality of left-side rollers when frictionally engaged with the left edge portion of the stack of plies;
• and
• at least one of the first right-side clamp element and the second right-side clamp element comprises a plurality of right-side rollers and a right-side track that is frictionally engageable with the right edge portion of the stack of plies and movable along the plurality of right-side rollers when frictionally engaged with the right edge portion of the stack of plies, wherein the right-side track is continuous, flexible, and defines a loop about the plurality of right-side rollers.