Composite lay-up head with a retractable device for separating a prepreg from its support tape

A lay-up head for depositing a prepreg, wherein a tape comprises a prepreg juxtaposed to a backing tape and the prepreg is separated from the backing tape by peeling;

• the lay-up head comprising a separator configured for redirecting the backing tape from an advancing direction path of the prepreg to separate the backing tape away from the prepreg just upstream of a depositing member along the advancing direction, the depositing member configured and operable for depositing the prepreg on a depositing tool or object, wherein the separator is upstream with respect to the advancing direction of the prepreg from the depositing member;
• a retractable separation device in a retracted position located downstream from the separator in the advancing direction of the prepreg, the separation device is movable from the retracted position into an activated position where it is positioned, configured and operable for separating the prepreg from the backing tape upstream of the separator, whereby the prepreg can be separated from the backing tape earlier when the separation device is in the activated position.