Method and apparatus for applying film material to elongate members

A method of applying film material to a surface of a composite stringer, comprising:

• moving a carriage along the surface of the composite stringer;
• dispensing film material from a film material supply on the carriage;
• compacting the film material against the surface of the composite stringer using a compaction roller on the carriage as the carriage moves along the surface of the composite stringer;
• and
• trimming edges of the film material that has been compacted against the surface of the composite stringer, including using the carriage to move at least one cutter through the film material as the carriage moves along the surface of composite stringer.

A method of applying film material over the length of a flange surface on a composite stringer, comprising:

• placing a film material applicator on the flange surface;
• moving the film material applicator along the length of the composite stringer;
• using the film material applicator to dispense and apply film material to the flange surface as the film material applicator moves along the length of the composite stringer;
• and
• using the film material applicator to trim edges of the film material to substantially match edges of the flange surface as the film material applicator moves along the length of the composite stringer.