Apparatus and method for controlling fabric web

An apparatus for controlling a composite fabric having internal axial tows, comprising:

• a conveyer belt configured to engage the fabric substantially up to a composite component form, the conveyer belt including a nonslip portion directly engaging a first outer surface of the fabric;
• a diaphragm engaging and applying pressure on the fabric at a second outer surface of the fabric opposite the first outer surface;
• a vacuum coupled to the diaphragm on the side of the diaphragm facing the fabric and generating pressure between the diaphragm and the conveyer belt,
• wherein, upon displacement of the axial tows of the fabric relative to the first and second outer surfaces, the conveyer belt and the diaphragm substantially maintain original configurations of the first and second outer surfaces of the fabric engaged between the conveyer belt and the diaphragm.