Short course fiber placement head

摘要

A composite automation method and apparatus for the generation of short path course application of a composite lamina is realized by reconfiguring the functional mechanisms of the fiber placement head. Separating the fiber advance and retract functions, nesting the activation cylinders, and making use of push only activation results in a simplified, compact AFP delivery head. Uniform cutting is provided by a circular configuration fiber cutting blade, were at activation the blade both provides a progressive cutting force and rotates to providing a new cutting edge, and requires limited cutting edge guidance as all orientations cut equally well. The mechanism nested in functions and placed in close proximity to the compaction roller reduces the overall fiber course to the application point.

主权项

1. An automated fiber placement (AFP) machine for placing composite material on a substrate, the AFP machine comprising:
a first low-profile tow control module comprising one or more circular cutter blades; a second low-profile tow control module comprising one or more circular cutter blades; a vee block coupled to the first and second low-profile tow control modules and located between the first and second low-profile tow control modules, the vee block comprising a solid component with cavities and a plurality of air passages located therein for pneumatic control of the first and second tow control modules; and a plurality of air cylinders coupled to the vee block and nested between the first low-profile tow control module and the second low-profile tow control module, the plurality of air cylinders being aligned with the air passages located within the vee block.