APPARATUS AND PROCESSES FOR FORMING A HEXAGONAL-CELL HONEYCOMB CORE, AND THE CORE FORMED THEREBY

摘要

The present invention is directed to a plurality of apparatus and processes for forming a hexagonal-cell honeycomb core, and to the honeycomb core made thereby. One apparatus (20) and process forms a honeycomb half-cell structure from a web of material. Another apparatus (24) and process applies at least one adhesive component to the honeycomb half-cell structure. An apparatus (26) and process cuts the honeycomb half-cell structure into a plurality of sheets. A further apparatus (29) and process stacks the half-cell structure to make a hexagonal-cell honeycomb core. In addition, the present invention is directed to a system and a method which advance the leading edge of a supply of web and which position the web for a secondary operation, and to a transfer head for holding at least one sheet of half-cell structure.