Automated composite annular structure forming

摘要

Method and apparatus for forming an annular composite structure is provided. The apparatus includes an annular shaped tool and a forming head. The annular shaped tool includes a forming surface of a select cross-sectional geometry. The forming head is configured to form continuous ply layers one ply at a time circumferentially about the forming surface of the tool.
The method comprises steps of applying continuous ply layers one at time on a forming surface of an annular tool that has a select cross-sectional geometry; and forming the ply layers on the full circumference annular tool with a forming head.