Multi-tow fiber placement machine with full band width clamp, cut, and restart capability
US4943338A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1788
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fiber placement machine has a head for controlling fiber tows running from an upstream supply creel to a downstream work laydown zone, and the head includes a bracket supporting a presser member which impresses and compacts the fiber against a workpiece. The head includes a relatively rigid fiber guide assembly and a drive for moving the fiber guide to an advanced position near the presser member and a retracted position away from the presser member. In the advanced position, fiber tows run uninhibited through channels in the fiber guide. However, when it is desired to cut the fibers, the fiber guide is run to the retracted position, at which point the guide is clamped to the incoming fiber tows. After the exiting cut fiber has been laid down on the workpiece by the presser member, the incoming fibers may be restarted by driving the fiber guide and its clamped fiber tow to an advanced position where the fiber tow end may be grabbed in the nip formed between the presser member and the workpiece. At such moment, the fiber guide clamp is released to again permit free running of the tows through the fiber guide.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.