High rate production fiber placement system and method

US10828847B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Marc R. Matsen · Seattle, US
• Mark A. Negley · Kirkland, US
• Jeffery Lee Marcoe · Bellevue, US
• Stephen G. Moore · Renton, US
• Brice A. Johnson · Redmond, US
• Alexandra K. Dillon · Seattle, US
• Megan M. Petersen · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 14, 2018
• Grant date: Nov 10, 2020
• Expiry date: Jan 4, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29K2101/12
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A fiber placement system including a fiber placement station at a first location, the fiber placement station including a tool and a fiber placement assembly configured to construct a reinforcement layup on the tool, the first fiber placement assembly including a compaction roller rotatable about an axis of rotation, the compaction roller at least partially defining a nip, a thermoplastic composite ply extending through the nip and a heating unit positioned to heat the thermoplastic composite ply proximate the nip, and a consolidation station at a consolidation location, the consolidation location being different from the first location, the consolidation station including a consolidation tool and a consolidation system configured to consolidate a reinforcement layup assembly that includes the reinforcement layup.