Device and method for positioning a ply of material of a composite component along an arcuate surface

Abstract

A method and device of positioning a ply of material for a composite component along an arcuate surface are presented. The ply comprises two end portions and a plurality of fiber tows extending longitudinally between the two end portions. The arcuate surface has a curved edge and a planar surface extending from the curved edge. The method comprises placing a first longitudinal edge portion of the ply along the curved edge; and rotating at least one of the two end portions away from the arcuate surface about a pivot axis normal to the ply, so as to cause sliding of at least some of the plurality of fiber tows relative to each other, and substantial aligning of the plurality of fiber tows in a curved direction along the arcuate surface. A method of positioning a ply of material for a composite component onto a curved mandrel is also presented.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.