Abstract: Tools for compacting composite parts are disclosed. These tools are used while layers of composite material, such as tows or laminae, are being deposited onto a fabricating surface, such as a mold or other forming tool. The compacting tool is typically divided into a series of narrow segments, each segment able to advance or retreat individually so as to conform to the surface of a composite part being formed. Pressurized fluid, such as air or hydraulic fluid, or non-pressurized internal bladders with incompressible fluid, are used to evenly apply pressure to the segments in order to compact the material with which the tool and the segments are in contact. The compacting tool thus helps eliminate voids and helps the material conform to the desired shape on the forming tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided, for handling the backing film in a fiber placement process, by winding-up the backing film, into a roll, as the backing film is separated from a fiber tow. The backing film is wound-up in such a manner that it can be fed back out to rejoin the tow, should it be necessary to rewind a portion of the tow during the fiber placement process. The backing film may be wound onto a paper or cardboard core for ease of removal and handling.

Abstract: An apparatus and invention are provided for accelerating an added tow to match the lay-down speed of other tows exiting a compaction roller of a fiber placement head, by driving the added tow with an add roller operatively coupled to be driven at the same peripheral speed as a feed roller having a peripheral speed matching the peripheral speed of the compaction roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for replacing a creel in a fiber placement machine, by sequentially moving replaceable creels into place on the fiber placement machine, via tracks and/or guide rails, as one or more spools in a previously operating creel are exhausted, and removing the creel having the one or more exhausted spools, to thereby allow fiber placement to continue from the replacement creel while the creel having one or more exhausted spools of material is replenished. An auto-splice apparatus and method are incorporated into the replaceable creel and fiber placement machine, for assisting in the exchange of replaceable creels.

Abstract: An apparatus and invention are provided for accelerating an added tow to match the lay-down speed of other tows exiting a compaction roller of a fiber placement head, by driving the added tow with an add roller operatively coupled to be driven at the same peripheral speed as a feed roller having a peripheral speed matching the peripheral speed of the compaction roller.