Automatic tape lay-up system

An automatic tape laying system for depositing tape in the lay-up on a work surface comprising:

• a tape supply reel for storing tape;
• cutting means for cutting tape;
• tape transport means for transporting tape from said tape supply reel to said cutting means;
• tape deposit means including drum means pivotable between first, second and third positions for receiving tape from said tape transport means;
• first continuous belt means entrained around said drum means for movement therearound and defining a first port, said first port being aligned with said tape transport means for receiving cut tape in said drum means first position;
• second continuous belt means disposed adjacent said first continuous belt means and defining a first tape transfer path, said first and second continuous belt means forming a second port, said second port being aligned with said tape transport means for receiving tape in said drum means second position for tape deposit along a first direction on a work surface;
• third continuous belt means disposed adjacent said first continuous belt means and defining a second tape transfer path, said first and third continuous belt means forming a third port, said third port being aligned with said tape transport means for receiving tape in said drum means second position for tape deposit along a second direction on the work surface;
• and
• means for pivoting said drum means between said first, second and third positions.

An automatic tape laying system for depositing tape in a lay-up on a work surface comprising:

• a tape carrier web containing tape;
• a supply reel mounted for rotation and for receiving said tape carrier web containing tape;
• a takeup reel mounted for rotation and for receiving said tape carrier web;
• said tape carrier web extending from said supply reel to said takeup reel for being wound on said takeup reel;
• a cutting station including means for cutting tape;
• means for moving said tape carrier web from said supply reel to said takeup reel and to said cutting station;
• tape deposit means including drum means being operable between first, second and third positions for selectively receiving tape in said second and third positions for causing tape to be continuously deposited on the work surface in either first or second directions;
• and
• means for pivotally moving said tape deposit means between said first, second and third positions.

An automatic tape laying system for depositing tape in a lay-up on a work surface supported on a table having opposed ends comprising:

• a traverse carriage supported above the table for controlled movement longitudinally along the surface of the table;
• a plurality of tape dispensing means mounted for controlled movement along said transverse carriage, such that tape is deposited by said plurality of tape dispensing means simultaneously at plural locations on the work surface as said carriage traverses the table:
• means for moving said plurality of tape dispensing means on said traverse carriage for depositing tape at predetermined angular directions;
• means for controlling lateral displacement of said plurality of tape dispensing means on said traverse carriage for controlling horizontal spacing between strips of deposited tape;
• and
• each of said plurality of tape dispensing means includes:
• a tape supply reel for storing tape;
• cutting means for cutting tape;
• tape transport means for transporting tape from said tape supply reel to said cutting means;
• tape deposit means pivotable between first and second positions for receiving tape in said first and second positions from said cutting means;
• and
• said tape being received in said tape deposit means first position for deposit along a first direction on the work surface and said tape being received in said tape deposit means second position for deposit along a second direction on the work surface.

A method for depositing tape in a lay-up on a work surface comprising:

• transporting tape from a supply reel to a cutting zone;
• pivotally moving between first and second positions a tape deposit apparatus having first and second ports for selective alignment with said cutting zone;
• selectively transferring tape through said first port of said tape deposit apparatus in said first position for depositing tape along a first direction on the work surface;
• selectively transferring tape through said second port of said tape deposit apparatus in said second position for depositing tape along a second direction on the work surface;
• transferring tape from said first and second ports of said tape deposit apparatus to a position adjacent the work surface;
• and
• depositing said tape on the work surface along said first and second directions.