Abstract: A method for defining trajectories of fibers on a layup surface for producing at least one ply having a given theoretical orientation, by laying up fibers, including the steps of providing the definition of the constraint curves and/or the definition of at least one constraint grid with association of at least one constraint vector to each node of the constraint grid, the direction of a fiber at an analysis point of the layup surface, being obtained by calculation of the normalized weights of the constraint vectors of the constraint curves and/or by calculation by of the normalized weights of the constraint vectors of the constraint grid, and by weighting by the normalized weights of the constraint vectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber application head for manufacturing composite material pars and to a corresponding manufacturing method, said head including: an application roll for applying a band formed of one or more fibers onto an application surface; a main guide system for guiding at least one fiber towards said application roll; a heating, system capable of emitting thermal radiation towards the band just before application by the application roll; a cooling system capable of cooling, the application roil from the outside, such as a gas flow; and a drive system capable of rotating the application roll when the roll is not in contact with the application surface.

Abstract: A fiber application head, comprising a roller for applying a band formed from one or more fibers onto an application surface, a main guide system for guiding at least one fiber towards said roller, and a heating system capable of emitting thermal radiation in the direction of the band, just prior to the application thereof. The heating system comprises at least one first infrared lamp capable of heating the band coming out of the main guide system, and at least one second infrared lamp capable of heating the surface upstream from the roller, the head further comprising a secondary guide system capable of guiding the band between the main guide system and the roller while enabling the band to be heated by the first lamp.

Abstract: A fiber application machine comprising a fiber application head, a displacing system to displace said fiber application head, a fiber storage, and a fiber conveyor to convey the fibers from the fiber storage to the application head. The machine further comprises a safety system comprising at least one perimeter barrier defining a safety zone wherein the displacing system carrying the application head is placed, the fiber storage being arranged outside of said safety zone.

Abstract: A fiber application head for a fiber application machine for the production of parts made of composite materials, comprising a compacting roller, said compacting roller comprising several independent roller segments mounted side by side on an axial rod. Each roller segment comprises a tubular central portion through which said segment is mounted on the axial rod, a tubular peripheral portion having a cylindrical outer surface and one or more curved spring plate arranged between the outer surface (31a) of the central portion and the inner surface of the peripheral portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber application machine, for making components out of composite materials, comprising a fiber application head, fiber storing means, and means for conveying the fibers from said storage means to the application head. The conveying means comprises first flexible tubes, that receive one fiber into its internal passage. Each flexible tube is provided with at least one longitudinal flexible blade of rectangular cross section. Each first flexible tube and its associated flexible blade are placed in a second flexible tube so that the second flexible tube holds the flexible blade substantially against the first flexible tube, while allowing relative longitudinal movement of the flexible blade in relation to the first flexible tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber application machine, for making components out of composite materials, comprising a fiber application head, fiber storing means, and means for conveying the fibers from said storage means to the application head. The conveying means comprises first flexible tubes, that receive one fiber into its internal passage. Each flexible tube is provided with at least one longitudinal flexible blade of rectangular cross section. Each first flexible tube and its associated flexible blade are placed in a second flexible tube so that the second flexible tube holds the flexible blade substantially against the first flexible tube, while allowing relative longitudinal movement of the flexible blade in relation to the first flexible tube.

Abstract: A fiber application machine including a fiber application head with an application roller for the production of parts made of composite materials. The fiber application head further includes a guiding system to guide the fibers onto the application roller and/or means for the application of resin to each fiber as the fibers leave the guiding system. The fiber application machine can also include a fiber storing system and conveying means for conveying the fibers from the fiber storing system to the application head. The conveying means can comprise flexible tubes, each tube being able to receive a fiber in its inner channel. The conveying means can further include a tension limiting system positioned between the application head and the storing system. The fiber application machine can further include a system for moving the application head.

Abstract: A fiber application head for a fiber application machine for the production of parts made of composite materials, comprising a compacting roller, said compacting roller comprising several independent roller segments mounted side by side on an axial rod. Each roller segment comprises a tubular central portion through which said segment is mounted on the axial rod, a tubular peripheral portion having a cylindrical outer surface and one or more curved spring plate arranged between the outer surface (31a) of the central portion and the inner surface of the peripheral portion.

Abstract: A fiber application machine for the production of composite material parts, comprising a system for displacing a fiber application head, a fiber storage, and a fiber conveyor for conveying the fibers from the fiber storage to the application head, the fiber conveyor being placed in the internal passage of at least one flexible tubular sheath, the machine further comprising a cooling system adapted to inject cold gas in the internal passage of the sheath.

Abstract: A fiber application machine comprising a fiber application head, a displacing system to displace said fiber application head, a fiber storage, and a fiber conveyor to convey the fibers from the fiber storage to the application head. The machine further comprises a safety system comprising at least one perimeter barrier defining a safety zone wherein the displacing system carrying the application head is placed, the fiber storage being arranged outside of said safety zone.

Abstract: A fiber application machine for the production of parts made of composite materials comprising a compacting roller for applying on an application surface a band formed of at least a resin pre-impregnated flat fiber, and a heating system able to emit a heat radiation towards the band. The compacting roller comprises a rigid central tube provided with radial holes, and a cylinder made of an elastically deformable, flexible material, assembled on the central tube, and having a fluid communication assembly that brings the radial holes into fluid communication with the external surface of the cylinder. The machine includes a thermal regulation system that injects a thermal regulation fluid in the central tube internal passage.

Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing hollow components out of a composite material, such as sections of an airplane fuselage, that include a skin and possibly strengthening elements. The method may include inserting a multi-articulated arm fitted with a fiber placement head inside a female mold of elongated shape. The female mold includes a longitudinal slit. A support for the multi-articulated arm is received through the slit. The method may also include applying fibers to the inner molding surface of the female mold using the placement head to form the composite material skin, by displacement of the application head using the multi-articulated arm and relative displacement in translation of the support for the multi-articulated arm along said longitudinal slit.

Abstract: A fiber application machine for the production of composite material parts, comprising a system for displacing a fiber application head, a fiber storage, and a fiber conveyor for conveying the fibers from the fiber storage to the application head, the fiber conveyor being placed in the internal passage of at least one flexible tubular sheath, the machine further comprising a cooling system adapted to inject cold gas in the internal passage of the sheath.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fiber application method and a fiber application machine for producing parts in composite material, such as for the application of a band of fibers on convex surfaces and/or with edges. The machine comprises a fiber application head and a moving system for moving the application head. The application head comprises a compacting system including a compacting roller intended to come in contact against the application surface to apply the band, and a compacting member placed downstream from the compacting roller and exhibiting a substantially planar contact surface, said compacting member being capable of being pressed by its contact surface, against an application surface, substantially on the entire width of a band, by at least one contact line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head for applying fibers in order to make components of composite materials, intended to be mounted at the end of a displacement system for applying to a surface a wide strip formed of a number of fibers. The head comprises an application roller for applying fibers in the form of a strip, means for guiding fibers on said roller, and cutting means including blades activated by activation systems between a rest position and an active cutting position so as to cut the fibers upstream of the application roller. Said blades and associated activation systems are all placed on the side of the roller relative to said fibers.

Abstract: A fiber application machine, for making components out of composite materials, that includes a system for displacing a fiber application head, fiber storage means, and fiber conveying means for conveying fibers from said storage means to the application head. The conveying means include flexible tubes connecting the storage means to the application head, each flexible tube being fitted with at least one longitudinal flexible blade of rectangular transverse cross-section, said flexible blade being placed substantially parallel to the plane of transport of the fiber received in the inner passage of the flexible tube.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing floating bodies, such as a boat's hull or part of such a hull, made of synthetic resins reinforced by continuous fibers, said technique including at least one filament winding step.