System and method for producing a three-dimensional dry fiber preform

A preform forming machine for producing a three-dimensional dry fiber preform, comprising:

• a series of forming block assemblies arranged in side-by-side relation to one another, each one of the forming block assemblies having a forming table and a forming block;
• a series of clamping plate assemblies arranged in side-by-side relation to one another and in opposing relation to the series of forming block assemblies and having a clamping table and a clamping plate
• each forming block being configured to fold a ply stack over onto itself to form a web of a preform;
• and
• each clamping plate being configured to clamp the ply stack to the forming table during the folding of the ply stack.

A method of producing a three-dimensional dry fiber preform, comprising the steps of:

• laying up a ply stack of fabric plies on a layup surface defined by a series of forming block assemblies and a series of clamping plate assemblies positioned in opposing relation to the series of forming block assemblies;
• clamping, using clamping plates, the ply stack to the layup surface;
• and
• folding, using forming blocks, the ply stack about a web fold line to form overlapping layers of a web of a preform.