Device for fabricating a composite structure

Abstract

A device for fabricating a composite structure comprises a multi-axis positioner and an attached end effector comprising an integrated head and creel. The head has a clamp, cut and restart mechanism and a compaction roller with a rotary axis. The creel has a prismatic shape with a coupling device on the top of the creel for attachment to the multi axis positioner and a centerline which passes through the center of the creel and intersects the axis of rotation of the compaction roller. A composite placement head is attached to the bottom of the creel. A plurality of composite material supply spools are mounted on the sides of the creel and face outward from the creel. A plurality of rollers are mounted on the outside surface of the creel for directing the composite material from the supply spools to the fiber placement head.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.