Apparatuses, tacking sticks, and systems for tacking workpieces in composite manufacturing and methods associated therewith

A method for tacking workpieces in composite manufacturing, the method comprising:

• selectively heating a heating member of a tacking element;
• transforming an actuating member from an inactive position to an active position;
• and
• locally tacking a first workpiece of a stack of workpieces to at least an adjacent workpiece of the stack of workpieces while the actuating member is in the active position.

A system for tacking workpieces in composite manufacturing, the system comprising:

• an end effector comprising a tacking stick, the tacking stick comprising:
• a support structure comprising a contact surface;
• and
• a plurality of tacking elements embedded in the support structure, wherein the plurality of tacking elements extend through the contact surface of the support structure,
• wherein each tacking element comprises:
• a base member;
• an actuating member with shape memory at least partially secured to the base member;
• and
• a heating member disposed on at least one of the base member and the actuating member;
• a mechanical arm configured to receive the end effector;
• and
• a computerized control system configured to control the mechanical arm, the end effector, the tacking stick, and the plurality of tacking elements by implementing a method for tacking workpieces in composite manufacturing, the method comprising:
• selectively heating the heating member of a select tacking element;
• transforming the actuating member of the select tacking element from an inactive position to an active position;
• and
• locally tacking a first workpiece of a stack of workpieces to at least an adjacent workpiece of the stack of workpieces while the actuating member of the select tacking element is in the active position.