Abstract: A system for the automatic and continuous loading of composite tape into a tape-laying machine is disclosed. The system provides composite tape from a plurality of cassettes which are held in the magazine of a tape loading system. The tape loading system has a tape drive which feeds tape from a cassette in an active position to the tape-laying system in controlled amounts. The tape loading system also has a cassette transfer system which pushes a full cassette from a standby position into the active position when the cassette in the active position exhausts its supply of tape.

Abstract: An automatic tape laying device for applying structural tape 24 to an underlying structure in order to fabricate a composite part. The tape laying device comprises a tape laydown head 10 and a plotting mechanism 60. The tape laydown head has two tape laying rollers 12, 14 arranged side by side and independently controlled. Generally, the tape laying rollers 12, 14 apply tape sequentially to a form as when the tape head is being moved back and forth. The tape head is oriented with a rotary orientation mechanism 90. A separate supply structure 70 parallel to the tape head 10 houses tape supply reels 76, 78 and tape cutting means 84, 86.

Abstract: A tool holder has compliance features that allow a hole to be drilled at high tolerances by a remote controlled control arm. The holes are drilled in a workpiece that has a template secured over it with guide holes for positioning the holes to be drilled. A self-feeding drill of the type that will simultaneously rotate and advance a drill bit is mounted in a support. A sleeve is carried at the forward end of the support for enclosing the drill bit. An index carriage moves the support forwardly into the guide hole after the control arm has substantially aligned the sleeve with the guide hole. Compliance mechanisms in the support allow the entire drill, drill bit and sleeve to move as a unit a limited amount parallel to and angularly with respect to the template and the indexing carriage, to allow advancement of the sleeve into the guide hole even though there may have been initial misalignment. The compliance mechanisms preferably include an inner guide member mounted within an outer guide member.