Tow width adaptable placement head device and method

• US 20070029030A1
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: McCowin, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,681,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/173
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/32 on a rotating mould, former or core
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/384 Fiber placement heads, e.g. component parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/545 Perforating, cutting or machining during or after moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 81/08 by feeding material obliquely to the axis of the core
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1348 Work traversing type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1785 Magazine stack directly contacting work

Abstract

A replaceable tow alignment path kit for a tow placement device may include a tow alignment tray to guide a predetermined width of tow along a tow path of a tow placement head. The tow alignment tray may include a channel having a width corresponding to the predetermined width of tow and a connector to releasably engage the tow placement head.

Claims

1. A device to attach an alignment tray on a positioning device, the device comprising:

a frame;

a frame fastener to fasten the frame to the positioning device; and

a tray fastener to releasably fasten the tow alignment tray to the frame, the tow alignment tray being configured to align a predetermined width of tow.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a cutter fastener to releasably fasten a tow cutter to the frame, the tow cutter being configured to cut the predetermined width of tow.

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a rethreader fastener to releasably fasten a rethreading unit to the frame, the rethreading unit being configured to rethread the predetermined width of tow in response to the predetermined width of tow being cut.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a drive unit fastener to releasably fasten a drive unit to the frame, the drive unit being configured to advance the predetermined width of tow.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a applicator fastener to releasably fasten an applicator to the frame, the applicator being configured to apply a predetermined width of tow upon a tool.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tray fastener includes a universal quick-release connector.

7. A tow path kit for a tow placement head, the kit comprising:

a tow alignment tray to guide a predetermined width of tow along the tow path of the tow placement head, the tow alignment tray comprising;

a channel having a width corresponding to the predetermined width of tow;

and

a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head.

8. The kit according to claim 7, further comprising:

a tow cutter to cut the predetermined width of tow, the tow cutter including a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head.

9. The kit according to claim 8, further comprising:

a rethreading unit to rethread the predetermined width of tow in response to the predetermined width of tow being cut, the rethreading unit including a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head.

10. The kit according to claim 7, further comprising:

a drive unit to advance the predetermined width of tow, the drive unit including a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head.

11. The kit according to claim 7, further comprising:

an applicator to apply a predetermined width of tow upon a tool, the applicator including a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head.

12. The kit according to claim 7, wherein the fastener includes a universal quick-release connector.

13. A system comprising:

a tow placement head to apply a predetermined width of tow to a tool;

a positioning device to position the tow placement head; and

a kit comprising;

a tow alignment tray to guide the predetermined width of tow along a tow path of the tow placement head, the tow alignment tray comprising;

a channel having a width corresponding to the predetermined width of tow; and

a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head.

14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising:

a tow cutter to cut the predetermined width of tow, the tow cutter including a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head.

15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising:

a rethreading unit to rethread the predetermined width of tow in response to the predetermined width of tow being cut, the rethreading unit including a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head.

16. The system according to claim 13, further comprising:

a drive unit to advance the predetermined width of tow, the drive unit including a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head.

17. The system according to claim 13, further comprising:

an applicator to apply a predetermined width of tow upon a tool, the applicator including a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the fastener includes a universal quick-release connector.

19. The system according to claim 13, further comprising:

an adjustable spool supply to adjust in response to a diameter of a spool of the predetermined width of tow, the adjustable spool supply being disposed upon the tow placement head.

20. A method comprising:

installing a kit in a tow placement head, the kit comprising;

a tow alignment tray to guide the predetermined width of tow along a tow path of the tow placement head, the tow alignment tray comprising;

a channel having a width corresponding to the predetermined width of tow; and

a fastener to releasably engage the tow placement head; and

wherein the installation includes detachably securing the tow alignment tray on the tow placement head via the fastener.

21. A method of manufacturing an aircraft structure from a composite, the method comprising:

providing a laminating apparatus, the laminating apparatus comprising;

a form on which the aircraft structure is formed;

a placement head; and

a plurality of alignment kits, each of the alignment kits including an alignment tray that is;

adapted to align a tow of predetermined size; and

releasably mountable to the placement head;

mounting the alignment tray from one of the alignment kits on the placement head; and

applying tow to form the aircraft structure.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

removing the alignment tray currently mounted on the placement head.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

cleaning the alignment tray; and

mounting the alignment tray again on the placement head.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

mounting the alignment tray from another one of the alignment kits on the placement head.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

initiating a second lay-up process.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the first and second lay-up processes are performed on the same item.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the second lay-up process forms a second item.

28. The method of claim 21 wherein the applying step applies tow to form an aircraft fuselage.

29. The method of claim 21 wherein the applying step applies tow to form an aircraft wing.

30. An aircraft structure manufactured according to the method of claim 21.

31. An aircraft fuselage manufactured according to the method of claim 21.

32. A laminating apparatus for manufacturing an aircraft structure, the apparatus comprising:

a placement head; and

a plurality of alignment kits, each of the alignment kits including an alignment tray that is;

adapted to align a tow of predetermined size; and

releasably mountable to the placement head.