Abstract: An automated manufacturing system includes two simultaneous and independently operating toolheads accessing any location within the same work volume, with the exception of locations in proximity to each other. The system includes a bed platform connected with X and Y linear axes. A ? rotational axis rotates the bed and its linear axes as a unit. A first toolhead has a fixed position relative to the ? axis, and a second toolhead is coupled with a linear R axis parallel to the bed. The bed X and Y axes move the bed relative to the first toolhead, enabling the first toolhead to reach any portion of the bed. The R linear axis and ? rotational axis allow the second toolhead to move almost anywhere in a circular area that is always centered near the first toolhead. The system's kinematics ensure that it is impossible for the toolheads to collide.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and method combines additive material deposition at a coarse resolution with high speed subtractive material removal at part surfaces to maximize detail and dimensional accuracy. Additive and subtractive operations may be performed sequentially or in parallel. Model data is received and support model data for undercuts, overhangs, and constrained surfaces is generated. The model and support model data is partitioned into additive and subtractive layers. Additive toolpaths are generated for each of the additive layers and subtractive toolpaths are generated for each of the subtractive layers. The subtractive toolpaths from adjacent subtractive layers may be consolidated, and then scheduled using a spatial-temporal map to resolve dependencies on additive toolpaths. A hybrid manufacturing program including the additive and subtractive operations is output.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus, method, and/or system by which fiber, e.g., in the form of tow or tow, is used to create a shaped ply by facilitating drawing fiber from a supply along a fiber axis between two sets of pins; moving the pins across the fiber axis to form a fiber web in the desired ply shape; fixing the fiber web to form the shaped ply; and releasing the shaped ply. By enabling formation of shaped plies (including plies with doubly curved surfaces and simultaneous sequences of strategically shaped plies) directly from a single piece of fiber tow, various embodiments discussed herein enable substantial reductions in labor and materials costs that are conventionally associated with construction of composite preforms and accompanying composite products.

Abstract: An automated manufacturing system includes two simultaneous and independently operating toolheads accessing any location within the same work volume, with the exception of locations in proximity to each other. The system includes a bed platform connected with X and Y linear axes. A ? rotational axis rotates the bed and its linear axes as a unit. A first toolhead has a fixed position relative to the ? axis, and a second toolhead is coupled with a linear R axis parallel to the bed. The bed X and Y axes move the bed relative to the first toolhead, enabling the first toolhead to reach any portion of the bed. The R linear axis and ? rotational axis allow the second toolhead to move almost anywhere in a circular area that is always centered near the first toolhead. The system's kinematics ensure that it is impossible for the toolheads to collide.

Abstract: Implementations include a system including a preform fabrication apparatus and method for creating composite preforms through a process of determining a preform shape and number of layers required to assemble the preform and using a preform layer assembly apparatus to provide a number of functions such as receiving and holding a composite layer, shaping the composite layer, pressing composite layer onto a preform support structure, forming the composite layer into a preform shape, etc. Multiple composite layers may be picked up, held, shaped, and applied to a preform by the assembly apparatus. The assembly apparatus includes a flexible membrane settable to a deformable shape and a rigid state such that flexible membrane may be configured to be deformed into an assembly shape, which is then held in a rigid state. The flexible membrane may be used to apply pressure to an article to conform the article to the assembly shape.

Abstract: A slip ring segment, used as a part of a downhole tool placeable within a well casing, includes a stack of fabric layers, the fabric layers comprising fibers, such as carbon fiber and glass fiber, the stack having first and second surfaces, which can be axially tapering surfaces, and stitching passing through the stack. The stitching can conform to ASTM D6193, 205 hand stitching. The stitching includes first stitching portions passing through the stack, and second stitching portions connecting selected first stitching portions and extending along the first and second surfaces without knots, crimps or loops, with the first and second surfaces and the fabric layers substantially un-deformed by the stitching. The slip ring segment also includes a matrix binding the stack of fabric layers and the stitching, and well casing-engaging elements extending from the interior of the stack out past first surface.

Abstract: A process to create composite preforms and parts by stacking layers of two-dimensional fiber material (e.g., fiber cloth, fiber reinforced fabric, etc.) having pin-receiving holes and/or gaps disposed between the fibers of the fiber material is described. The stack is pinned together using a subset of pins, such as fiber reinforcing pins, inserted into a subset of the pin receiving holes and/or gaps, leaving at least some of the pin receiving holes and/or gaps available for pinning other layers, as layers of fiber material are added to the stack. As additional layers are added to the stack, different subsets of pins connect the additional layers to the stack, thereby building up the stack. Each layer of fiber material may have a different shape than the other layers and any arbitrary topology, potentially including non-convex and/or disjoint shapes. Furthermore, implementations may produce composite preforms having an arbitrary number of interconnected layers.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus, method, and/or system by which fiber, e.g., in the form of tow or tow, is used to create a shaped ply by facilitating drawing fiber from a supply along a fiber axis between two sets of pins; moving the pins across the fiber axis to form a fiber web in the desired ply shape; fixing the fiber web to form the shaped ply; and releasing the shaped ply. By enabling formation of shaped plies (including plies with doubly curved surfaces and simultaneous sequences of strategically shaped plies) directly from a single piece of fiber tow, various embodiments discussed herein enable substantial reductions in labor and materials costs that are conventionally associated with construction of composite preforms and accompanying composite products.

Abstract: A method and system for automated fabrication of composite preforms. In one implementation, a fabrication apparatus includes a stitching assembly, needle apparatus, motion stage, preform cartridge, CAD/CAM Software, and embedded machine software. The stitching assembly includes an upper portion that supports a stitching mechanism. The stitching mechanism includes at least one needle assembly. The needle assembly may be configured with at least one needle apparatus configured to pass filaments through composite preforms. In one implementation, the stitching assembly is used to stitch layers of the composite preforms using a variety of stitching patterns. The fabrication apparatus may be configured to fold fabric layers of the composite preform before or after stitching two or more layers of the composite preform.

Abstract: A process to create composite preforms and parts by stacking layers of two-dimensional fiber material (e.g., fiber cloth, fiber reinforced fabric, etc.) having pin-receiving holes and/or gaps disposed between the fibers of the fiber material is described. The stack is pinned together using a subset of pins, such as fiber reinforcing pins, inserted into a subset of the pin receiving holes and/or gaps, leaving at least some of the pin receiving holes and/or gaps available for pinning other layers, as layers of fiber material are added to the stack. As additional layers are added to the stack, different subsets of pins connect the additional layers to the stack, thereby building up the stack. Each layer of fiber material may have a different shape than the other layers and any arbitrary topology, potentially including non-convex and/or disjoint shapes. Furthermore, implementations may produce composite preforms having an arbitrary number of interconnected layers.