Abstract: A forming die has a continuously configurable nip allowing a composite preform to be formed into continuous composite gap filler that has a variable cross-section along its length.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a noodle of a structural joint that comprises pulling a first composite sheet through a first splitting station to cut the first composite sheet into a plurality of first composite plies, pulling the plurality of first composite plies through a first alignment station to stack the plurality of first composite plies on top of each other to form a first stacked composite layup, pulling the first stacked composite layup through a first heating station to heat the first stacked composite layup to form a first heated composite layup, pulling the first heated composite layup through a first forming station to shape the first heated composite layup into a first pre-selected cross-sectional shape to form at least a first portion of a continuous noodle, and pulling at least the first portion of the continuous noodle through a cutting station to cut at least the first portion of the continuous noodle to a pre-selected length.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a noodle of a structural joint that comprises pulling a first composite sheet through a first splitting station to cut the first composite sheet into a plurality of first composite plies, pulling the plurality of first composite plies through a first alignment station to stack the plurality of first composite plies on top of each other to form a first stacked composite layup, pulling the first stacked composite layup through a first heating station to heat the first stacked composite layup to form a first heated composite layup, pulling the first heated composite layup through a first forming station to shape the first heated composite layup into a first pre-selected cross-sectional shape to form at least a first portion of a continuous noodle, and pulling at least the first portion of the continuous noodle through a cutting station to cut at least the first portion of the continuous noodle to a pre-selected length.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating preforms. One embodiment is a method comprising acquiring tows of fiber reinforced material, selecting a number of tows to utilize for a bundle having an aggregate shape, assembling the tows together into the bundle, curving the assembled tows by slipping the assembled tows with respect to each other, drawing the bundle through a die to bind the bundle into a preform, enforcing a longitudinally varying cross section along the preform, and locking in a curvature of the preform.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a noodle of a structural joint that comprises pulling a first composite sheet through a first splitting station to cut the first composite sheet into a plurality of first composite plies, pulling the plurality of first composite plies through a first alignment station to stack the plurality of first composite plies on top of each other to form a first stacked composite layup, pulling the first stacked composite layup through a first heating station to heat the first stacked composite layup to form a first heated composite layup, pulling the first heated composite layup through a first forming station to shape the first heated composite layup into a first pre-selected cross-sectional shape to form at least a first portion of a continuous noodle, and pulling at least the first portion of the continuous noodle through a cutting station to cut at least the first portion of the continuous noodle to a pre-selected length.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating preforms. One embodiment is a method comprising acquiring tows of fiber reinforced material, selecting a number of tows to utilize for a bundle having an aggregate shape, assembling the tows together into the bundle, curving the assembled tows by slipping the assembled tows with respect to each other, drawing the bundle through a die to bind the bundle into a preform, enforcing a longitudinally varying cross section along the preform, and locking in a curvature of the preform.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a noodle of a structural joint that comprises pulling a first composite sheet through a first splitting station to cut the first composite sheet into a plurality of first composite plies, pulling the plurality of first composite plies through a first alignment station to stack the plurality of first composite plies on top of each other to form a first stacked composite layup, pulling the first stacked composite layup through a first heating station to heat the first stacked composite layup to form a first heated composite layup, pulling the first heated composite layup through a first forming station to shape the first heated composite layup into a first pre-selected cross-sectional shape to form at least a first portion of a continuous noodle, and pulling at least the first portion of the continuous noodle through a cutting station to cut at least the first portion of the continuous noodle to a pre-selected length.