Fiber Placement Machine Platform System Having Interchangeable Head and Creel Assemblies
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automated fiber placement system, comprising:
- a plurality of modular cradles adapted to be interchangeable within a host gantry or platform system; and
an automated fiber placement machine mounted on the each of the plurality of modular cradles, the automated fiber placement machine including a compact fiber placement head and roller apparatus, a multi-axial articulated wrist apparatus, an internal power source that maneuvers an internal fiber redirect mechanism, a plurality of spools for mounting of fiber tows contained in a refrigerated creel assembly; and
wherein each of the modular cradles is adapted to maintain a fixed distance between the fiber placement head and the creel assembly and incorporates at least one fiber redirect mechanism between the fiber placement head mechanism and the creel assembly.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular fiber placement machine head assembly and refrigerated creel assembly affixed to a cradle for an interchangeable platform system adapted for composite fiber manufacturing through an automated, computer controlled, fiber placement machine is described.
221 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An automated fiber placement system, comprising:
-
a plurality of modular cradles adapted to be interchangeable within a host gantry or platform system; and an automated fiber placement machine mounted on the each of the plurality of modular cradles, the automated fiber placement machine including a compact fiber placement head and roller apparatus, a multi-axial articulated wrist apparatus, an internal power source that maneuvers an internal fiber redirect mechanism, a plurality of spools for mounting of fiber tows contained in a refrigerated creel assembly; and wherein each of the modular cradles is adapted to maintain a fixed distance between the fiber placement head and the creel assembly and incorporates at least one fiber redirect mechanism between the fiber placement head mechanism and the creel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An automated fiber placement system, comprising:
-
a plurality of modular cradles including a fiber placement machine having a fiber placement head and creel assembly mounted thereon; a gantry system having a platform moveable thereon, the platform being adapted to interchangeably accept and host at least one of the modular cradles at a time; and a support structure adapted to interchangeably accept and host at least one of the plurality of modular cradles not being hosted by the platform. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of reducing interruption of fiber placement by an automated fiber placement machine due to exhaustion of fiber tows supplied from a creel assembly during the fiber placement operation, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a plurality of modular cradles including a fiber placement machine having a fiber placement head and creel assembly mounted thereon; mounting a first one of the modular cradles on a movable platform of a gantry system; applying fiber tows to either a fixed tablet or rotating mandrel via the fiber placement head and creel assembly of the first one of the modular cradles mounted on the platform until at least one of the fiber tows is exhausted from the creel assembly; removing the modular cradle from the platform; mounting a second one of the plurality of modular cradles on the platform; and resuming application of fiber tows to either the fixed tablet or rotating mandrel via the fiber placement head and creel assembly of the second one of the modular cradles mounted on the platform in place of the first one of the modular cradles. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification