Lamination head having bi-directional capability

A lamination head having bi-directional layup capability, comprising:

• a material supply drum configured to support a material roll of backed material, the backed material comprising layup material backed by a backing layer;
• a first separation device and a second separation device respectively having a first horn and a second horn each movable between a separation device retracted position and a separation device extended position;
• a first compaction device and a second compaction device each movable between a compaction device retracted position and a compaction device extended position, and configured to apply compaction pressure onto the layup material against a substrate at a layup material compaction point;
• wherein:
• when the first separation device is in the separation device extended position and the second separation device is in the separation device retracted position, the first horn is in close proximity to the layup material compaction point associated with the first compaction device for separating the layup material from the backing layer as the lamination head moves along a first direction of travel;
• and
• when the second separation device is in the separation device extended position and the first separation device is in the separation device retracted position, the second horn is in close proximity to the layup material compaction point associated with the second compaction device for separating the layup material from the backing layer as the lamination head moves along a second direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel.

A method of bi-directionally applying layup material onto a substrate, comprising:

• feeding a backed material from a material roll to a backing layer separation assembly of a lamination head, the material roll mounted on a material supply drum, the backed material comprising the layup material backed by a backing layer, the backing layer separation assembly having a first separation device and a second separation device respectively having a first horn and a second horn;
• moving the first horn into close proximity to a layup material compaction point associated with a first compaction device;
• separating, using the first horn, the layup material from the backing layer and directing the layup material toward the layup material compaction point associated with the first compaction device while moving the lamination head along a first direction of travel;
• retracting the first horn away from the first compaction device;
• moving the second horn into close proximity to a layup material compaction point associated with a second compaction device;
• and
• separating, using the second horn, the layup material from the backing layer and directing the layup material toward the layup material compaction point associated with the second compaction device while moving the lamination head along a second direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel.