Abstract: A preform forming machine for producing a three-dimensional dry fiber preform may include a forming block assembly and a clamping plate assembly. The forming block assembly may have a forming table and a forming block and may be positionable in a series of forming block assemblies. The clamping plate assembly may have a clamping table and a clamping plate and may be positionable in a series of clamping plate assemblies arranged in opposing relation to the series of forming block assemblies. Each forming block may be configured to fold a ply stack over onto itself to form a web of a preform. Each clamping plate may be configured to clamp the ply stack to the forming table during the folding of the ply stack.

Abstract: In this pleat sewing guide there is a flat sewing guide leg at one end of which is an elongated transverse head in which latter is a longitudinal channel from which extend threaded guide pins spaced on opposite sides of the sewing guide leg; a pair of adjustable legs are spaced on the opposite sides of the fixed guide leg; one of the adjustable legs is adjusted to indicate the depth of the pleat and the other leg is adapted to engage the next preceding pleat to determine the spacing of the pleat; the improvements on this pleat sewing guide are the provision of aligning shoulders or abutments on all the legs which are in a line parallel with the cross head so that the material is always aligned so that the edge of the material is always in perfectly parallel alignment with the cross head; and further the cross head has flanges extended to the same distance as the distance of the shoulders on the respective adjustable legs from the edge of the cross head; and further there are a pair of cutaway recesses one on