Multiple head automated composite laminating machine for the fabrication of large barrel section components

In a system comprising a structure, a plurality of material delivery heads supported by said structure, and a mandrel comprising a mandrel surface which substantially conforms to a section of a vehicle, a method for fabricating the section of the vehicle, comprising:

• rotating the mandrel relative to said structure while moving the structure relative to the mandrel;
• moving said plurality of material delivery heads relative to the mandrel surface to apply material along the mandrel surface during fabrication of the section of the vehicle, and individually adjusting positions of at least some of the material delivery heads relative to the mandrel surface and relative to at least one of the other material delivery heads during application of the material.

A system for fabricating a section of a vehicle, the system comprising:

• a mandrel having a mandrel surface which substantially conforms to the section of the vehicle;
• and
• a plurality of material delivery heads, wherein at least two of the material delivery heads are designed to apply composite material along the mandrel surface of the mandrel during fabrication of the section of the vehicle and to individually adjust positions relative to the mandrel surface and with respect to one or more of the other of the material delivery heads during application of the composite material by the at least two of the material delivery heads.

A method for fabricating a section of a vehicle, the method comprising steps of:

• applying a composite material to a mandrel surface from at least two material delivery heads, while moving at least some of said material delivery heads relative to the mandrel surface during application of the composite material;
• and
• individually adjusting positions of the at least some two material delivery heads relative to the mandrel surface and the other material delivery heads during application of the composite material along the mandrel surface by the material delivery heads during the fabrication of the section of the vehicle.