Variable material stretch-forming apparatus and methods

摘要

Apparatus and methods of stretch-forming pre-preg material are provided. In one example embodiment, a variable material stretch-forming apparatus comprises a stretch-forming assembly configured to stretch-form at least one section of a sheet of pre-preg material to a longer length than at least one other section of the sheet of pre-preg material before the sheet of pre-preg material is applied to a tool.

主权项

1. A method of automatically pre-forming a sheet of pre-preg material, the method comprising:
selectively stretch-forming at least one select section along at least one of a width and a length of a sheet of pre-preg material in relation to at least one other section along at least one of the width and the length of the sheet of pre-preg material with a stretch-forming device by passing the pre-preg material between a first member positioned on a first side of the at least one select section and a second member positioned on a second side of the at least one select section, opposing the first side; applying a force to the at least one select section with at least one forming region of the first member and at least one forming region of the second member that is complementary to the at least one forming region of the first member to stretch at least a portion of the sheet of pre-preg material between the at least one forming region of the first member and the at least one forming region of the second member; and transferring the sheet of pre-preg material to a forming surface of a forming tool that is used to shape the sheet of pre-preg material into a shape of a desired composite part.