Apparatuses, tacking sticks, and systems for tacking workpieces in composite manufacturing and methods associated therewith

A tacking stick for tacking workpieces in composite manufacturing, the tacking stick comprising:

• a support structure comprising a contact surface opposing a work surface of a first workpiece of a stack of workpieces, wherein the contact surface of the support structure is configured to engage with the work surface of the first workpiece;
• and
• a plurality of tacking elements embedded in the support structure, wherein each tacking element extends through the contact surface of the support structure, each tacking element comprising:
• a base member;
• a shape memory member at least partially secured to the base member;
• and
• a heater member disposed on at least one of the base member and the shape memory member, and
• wherein the plurality of tacking elements are configured to be disposed within the support structure such that the active position of the shape memory member of each tacking element is proximate to a work surface of a first workpiece of a stack of workpieces, and
• wherein the tacking stick is configured such that at least one of the plurality of tacking elements locally tacks the first workpiece to at least an adjacent workpiece of the stack of workpieces in response to the shape memory member of the corresponding tacking element being in contact with the work surface of the first workpiece in the active position.

A method for tacking workpieces in composite manufacturing, the method comprising:

• selectively heating a heater member of a tacking element;
• transforming a shape memory member from an inactive position to an active position;
• and
• locally tacking a first workpiece of a stack of workpieces to at least an adjacent workpiece of the stack of workpieces while the shape memory member is in the active position, and
• wherein, in response to the heating and the transforming, the active position causes the shape memory member to become proximate to a work surface of the first workpiece of the stack of workpieces, and
• wherein, in conjunction with the tacking, the shape memory member is in the active position and in contact with the work surface of the first workpiece.

A system for tacking workpieces in composite manufacturing, the system comprising:

• an end effector comprising a tacking stick, the tacking stick comprising:
• a support structure comprising a contact surface;
• and
• a plurality of tacking elements embedded in the support structure, wherein the plurality of tacking elements extend through the contact surface of the support structure,
• wherein each tacking element comprises:
• a base member;
• a shape memory member at least partially secured to the base member;
• and
• a heater member disposed on at least one of the base member and the shape memory member;
• a mechanical arm configured to receive the end effector;
• and
• a computerized control system configured to control the mechanical arm, the end effector, the tacking stick, and the plurality of tacking elements by implementing a method for tacking workpieces in composite manufacturing, the method comprising:
• selectively heating the heater member of a select tacking element;
• transforming the shape memory member of the select tacking element from an inactive position to an active position;
• and
• locally tacking a first workpiece of a stack of workpieces to at least an adjacent workpiece of the stack of workpieces while the shape memory member of the select tacking element is in the active position, and
• wherein the plurality of tacking elements are configured to be disposed within the support structure such that the active position of the shape memory member of each tacking element is proximate to a work surface of a first workpiece of a stack of workpieces, and
• wherein the system is configured such that at least one of the plurality of tacking elements locally tacks the first workpiece to at least an adjacent workpiece of the stack of workpieces in response to the shape memory member of the corresponding tacking element being in contact with the work surface of the first workpiece in the active position.