Apparatus and methods for gripping flexible materials

A ceramic fiber processing apparatus for the manufacture of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) article, comprising:

• a frame including a plurality of unidirectional ceramic fibers wound thereabout and extending across a void therein the frame to define a first planar array of ceramic fibers and a second planar array of ceramic fibers;
• a first gripper assembly configured to grip the first planar array of ceramic fibers;
• a second gripper assembly configured to grip the second planar array of ceramic fibers;
• and
• a cutting mechanism to separate the first planar array of ceramic fibers and the second planar array of ceramic fibers from one another.

A ceramic fiber processing apparatus for the manufacture of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) article, comprising:

• a frame including a plurality of unidirectional ceramic fibers wound thereabout and extending across a void therein the frame to define a first planar array of ceramic fibers and a second planar array of ceramic fibers;
• a first gripper assembly comprising a plurality of first gripping fingers and a plurality of second gripping fingers and configured to grip the first planar array of ceramic fibers therebetween;
• a second gripper assembly comprising a plurality of first gripping fingers and a plurality of second gripping fingers and configured to grip the second planar array of ceramic fibers therebetween;
• and
• a cutting mechanism to separate the first planar array of ceramic fibers and the second planar array of ceramic fibers from one another,
• wherein each of the plurality of first gripping fingers includes a plurality of magnets in an alternating N-S configuration and each of the plurality of second gripping fingers includes a plurality of magnets in an alternating N-S configuration.