摘要 |
An apparatus is disclosed for forming elongate structures of composite materials. The apparatus includes a plurality of forming dies for preheating, heating and then cooling an elongate portion of composite material while shaping the material within an internal passage. A pulling device is utilized to continuously draw elongate strips of composite material through the forming dies. The pulling device includes two opposed endless track devices. One of the endless track devices serves to mount a plurality of engagement dogs, each having a substantially flat surface for engagement of the elongate portion of composite material. The other endless track device serves to mount a plurality of pivoting engagement dogs, each having a curvilinear surface wherein increased resistance by said elongate strip of composite material will pivot the curved surface into closer alignment with a corresponding flat surface, thereby tightening the grip of the pulling device on the elongate strip of composite material.
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