Fiber redirect system, multi-axis robotic wrist and fiber placement apparatus incorporating same and related methods
US6994324B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C70/545
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fiber redirect system for use with a multi-axis robotic wrist and fiber placement system and methods of using the same are provided. The fiber redirect system may include one or more redirect mechanisms configured to alter the path of one or more fiber tows fed from a creel assembly to a fiber placement head. The redirect mechanism may be located and configured so as to be centered about either the intersection of the pitch and yaw axes of the robotic wrist or the intersection of the yaw and roll axes of the robotic wrist. In one exemplary embodiment, a first redirect mechanism is centered about the intersection of the pitch and yaw axes, a second redirect mechanism is centered about the intersection of the yaw and roll axes and a third redirect mechanism may be centered about the roll axis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.