摘要 |
A method and apparatus for fabricating a complex, three-dimensional structure ( 12 ), such as a truss, from composite fiber/resin includes pulling a plurality of continuous fibers ( 50 ) from a feed source ( 62 ) along a processing path ( 58 ) about a longitudinal axis ( 14 ). At least some of the fibers are wound around the longitudinal axis in opposite directions ( 70,72 ) by rotational elements to form helical and reverse helical components ( 30, 34 ) that intersect at nodes ( 26,28 ). Select nodes are engaged by engagement members ( 84 ) and are maintained radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis by a support frame ( 80 ) to create sequential discrete segments ( 22 ) in the helical and reverse helical components. The select nodes can be engaged and maintained from outside the helical and reverse helical components. Resin can be applied to the fibers by resin applicator ( 90 ) and cured. A three-dimensional structure ( 200 ) can be formed with one or more continuous fibers forming two or more different components ( 204, 206 ) of the structure and transitioning at transition nodes ( 207 ). A three-dimensional structure can be formed with the components including a sleeve ( 162 ) of braided fibers surrounding a core ( 163 ) of elongated fibers to reduce gaps. |