Abstract: A system and method for making advanced composite laminates includes a tape dispensing system, a tape placement head, and a tooling surface. Tape sections are formed and moved through a tape section guide using a gripping assembly. The tape section guide system is suspended over the tooling surface. Once the tape section is positioned over a desired location on the tooling surface, a tape tacking device tacks or otherwise attaches the tape section to the tooling surface or another underlying tape section.

Abstract: A system and method for making advanced composite laminates includes a tape dispensing system, a tape placement head, and a tooling surface. Tape sections are formed and moved through a tape section guide using a gripping assembly. The tape section guide system is suspended over the tooling surface. Once the tape section is positioned over a desired location on the tooling surface, a tape tacking device tacks or otherwise attaches the tape section to the tooling surface or another underlying tape section.

Abstract: A rotary clamp mechanism for a fiber placement head comprises a one-way bearing and a freewheeling roller mounted upstream of the restart mechanism. An actuating mechanism brings the freewheeling roller and the one-way bearing into contact with the fiber tow and allows the tow to be fed through the head from the upstream to the downstream end, but prevents the fiber tow from traveling in the reverse direction through the head. The rotary clamp is put into contact with the fiber tow prior to cutting the tow, and remains in contact with the tow until the restart mechanism has advanced the cut tow to the delivery end of the head. The rotary clamp eliminates the need for precise timing between the cutting and clamping mechanisms, and increases the application rate of fiber tow by the head.