| 摘要 |
An apparatus and process for continuously and progressively forming components from fiber-containing composite material workpieces having a deformable matrix, wherein bending of the composite material is accomplished by pairs of roller elements between which the composite passes as it moves through the apparatus, and wherein the workpiece may be locally heated within the extent of the roller elements. Rotation of each roller is individually and independently controllable to drive the workpiece forward, retard motion of the workpiece, or freewheel. Retarding motion of selected rollers induces tensile stresses in the workpiece, which counteract the compressive stresses induced during bending so as to maintain the alignment of the fibers. Bending is preferably accomplished by positioning the pairs of roller elements to continuously introduce longitudinally adjacent bends of appropriate magnitudes and senses into the workpiece so that the laminar length of the workpiece remains substantially unchanged throughout the entire forming operation.
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