Abstract: An autonomous rover including a frame having a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end and forming a payload bay, the payload bay being sized to support a pickface, a common active registration surface configured to engage the pickface, and a drive section connected to the common active registration surface, the drive section being configured to variably position the common active registration surface relative to at least one storage shelf of an automated storage and retrieval system to effect placement of the pickface on the storage shelf so that pickfaces are substantially continuously arranged along the at least one storage shelf with a predetermined storage spacing between the pickfaces.

Abstract: A prepreg fabrication system provided with an impregnation zone, which includes: (i) a movable support surface for supporting a continuous web material during impregnation; (ii) an endless roller chain carrying a plurality of linking, rotatable idler rollers, a portion of the roller chain facing the movable support surface; and (iii) pressure applicators for pressing at least some of the idler rollers facing the support surface against the support surface to form pressure nips. The movable support surface is configured to move at a first velocity during operation and the roller chain is configured to revolve at a second velocity different from the first velocity so as to establish a relative velocity between the revolving roller chain and the moving support surface, and wherein the relative movements of the support surface and the roller chain create pressure nips that are moving in the same direction as the moving direction of the support surface.

Abstract: A prepreg fabrication system provided with an impregnation zone, which includes: (i) a movable support surface for supporting a continuous web material during impregnation; (ii) an endless roller chain carrying a plurality of linking, rotatable idler rollers, a portion of the roller chain facing the movable support surface; and (iii) pressure applicators for pressing at least some of the idler rollers facing the support surface against the support surface to form pressure nips. The movable support surface is configured to move at a first velocity during operation and the roller chain is configured to revolve at a second velocity different from the first velocity so as to establish a relative velocity between the revolving roller chain and the moving support surface, and wherein the relative movements of the support surface and the roller chain create pressure nips that are moving in the same direction as the moving direction of the support surface.

Abstract: A method for impregnating a fibrous material with a curable resin to form a prepreg is disclosed. The method includes conveying a web material through at least one moving pressure nip formed between a moving pressure roller and a moving supporting surface, wherein the moving pressure roller and the moving supporting surface travel at different velocities relative to each other resulting in a relative velocity between the web material and the pressure nip. The at least one moving pressure nip travels in the same direction as the web material while applying sufficient pressure to compress the web material and to affect impregnation of the fibrous material with the curable resin. Also disclosed is a system for implementing the disclosed impregnation method.

Abstract: A method for impregnating a fibrous material with a curable resin to form a prepreg is disclosed. The method includes conveying a web material through at least one moving pressure nip formed between a moving pressure roller and a moving supporting surface, wherein the moving pressure roller and the moving supporting surface travel at different velocities relative to each other resulting in a relative velocity between the web material and the pressure nip. The at least one moving pressure nip travels in the same direction as the web material while applying sufficient pressure to compress the web material and to affect impregnation of the fibrous material with the curable resin. Also disclosed is a system for implementing the disclosed impregnation method.