OVERWRAP TAPE END-EFFECTOR FOR FIBER PLACEMENT/WINDING MACHINES

摘要

A tape delivery end-effector apparatus (10) is, in an exemplary embodiment, a multiple-channel system for applying materials in tape form to a tooling mandrel. The end-effector apparatus is mounted on a multi-axis fiber placement machine and uses the machine's computer controlled guidance system. A preset constant tension is independently applied to each tape (30) unspooled from spool holders (34) by a separate servo motor (50), servo amplifier and feedback transducer (120) for each spool holder. The transducer continuously measures the tape spool diameter. Two sets of rollers (44) guide the tapes to the mandrel.