AUTOMATED FIBER PLACEMENT USING MULTIPLE PLACEMENT HEADS, REPLACEABLE CREELS, AND REPLACEABLE PLACEMENT HEADS

摘要

An apparatus and method are provided for forming a composite part on a tool surface, during an automated fiber placement process, by depositing the composite material onto the tool surface with two or more fiber placement heads which are capable of simultaneous movement independently from each other and the tool surface, but dynamically synchronized for operation with respect to a common time base. Fiber placement heads, and creels for holding composite materials supplied to the fiber placement heads are replaceable during fabrication of the composite part.