Multi-tow fiber placement machine with full band width clamp, cut, and restart capability

An improved head for use in a fiber placement machine having:

• a machine member for carrying a fiber placement head;
• an upstream fiber supply source;
• a downstream work laydown zone;
• means for providing relative movement between the machine member and the work laydown zone;
• and, wherein fiber tows run from the upstream source to the downstream laydown zone in accordance with relative control of the head with respect to the work laydown zone, wherein the improved head comprises:
• bracket means affixed to said machine member;
• presser means movably mounted to said bracket means for impressing said fiber tows in said work laydown zone;
• fiber guide and spacing means movably mounted to said bracket means, said fiber guide and spacing means including means for permitting relatively free movement of said fiber tows with respect to said fiber guide and spacing means and means for clamping said fiber tows to said fiber guide and spacing means, and means for maintaining adjacent fiber tows separate from one another while in said fiber guide and spacing means, said means for maintaining being coextensive with said tows at all times of operation of said fiber guide and spacing means;
• and
• drive means for relatively moving said fiber guide and spacing means bidirectionally with respect to said bracket means, between an advanced position proximal said presser means, and a retracted position distal said presser means.