Abstract: A system for forming composite material parts comprises a charge station, a tool station, a forming station, a cooling station, a pick and place apparatus, and a transfer unit. The charge station may receive a first charge. The tool station may receive a first tool. The forming station may form a second charge against a second tool. The cooling station may cool a third charge and a third tool. The pick and place apparatus may retrieve the first charge from the charge station and the first tool from the tool station and transport both the first charge and the first tool to the forming station. The transfer unit may transport the second charge and the second tool from the forming station to the cooling station while at the same time transporting the third charge and the third tool from the cooling station to the tool station.

Abstract: A translating die apparatus and method for forming a piece of material into a part having complex contours. The translating die apparatus may comprise upper and lower mounts, fixed upper and lower dies fixed to the upper and lower mounts, respectively, and movable upper and lower dies translatably coupled with the mounts and configured to translate laterally toward and away from the fixed upper and lower dies. The piece of material may be placed between the upper and lower dies and one of the mounts may be actuated toward another of the mounts to sandwich the piece of material between the upper and lower dies. Simultaneously, the movable upper and lower dies may translate toward the fixed upper and lower dies, until the movable and fixed dies abut each other when the upper and lower dies are fully pressing the piece of material therebetween.

Abstract: A system for forming composite material parts comprises a charge station, a tool station, a forming station, a cooling station, a pick and place apparatus, and a transfer unit. The charge station may receive a first charge. The tool station may receive a first tool. The forming station may form a second charge against a second tool. The cooling station may cool a third charge and a third tool. The pick and place apparatus may retrieve the first charge from the charge station and the first tool from the tool station and transport both the first charge and the first tool to the forming station. The transfer unit may transport the second charge and the second tool from the forming station to the cooling station while at the same time transporting the third charge and the third tool from the cooling station to the tool station.

Abstract: A translating die apparatus and method for forming a piece of material into a part having complex contours. The translating die apparatus may comprise upper and lower mounts, fixed upper and lower dies fixed to the upper and lower mounts, respectively, and movable upper and lower dies translatably coupled with the mounts and configured to translate laterally toward and away from the fixed upper and lower dies. The piece of material may be placed between the upper and lower dies and one of the mounts may be actuated toward another of the mounts to sandwich the piece of material between the upper and lower dies. Simultaneously, the movable upper and lower dies may translate toward the fixed upper and lower dies, until the movable and fixed dies abut each other when the upper and lower dies are fully pressing the piece of material therebetween.

Abstract: To apply a resin impregnated fabric to a substrate, a device includes a surface having a layer of material and a first edge. The surface moves relative to the substrate and to conform to the substrate. The layer of material is compatible for use with the resin. The first edge is disposed at the front of the surface relative to the movement of the device to the fabric. The first edge is curved with a center portion of the first edge being relatively forward of a pair of side portions of the first edge.

Abstract: To apply a resin impregnated fabric to a substrate, a device includes a surface having a layer of material and a first edge. The surface moves relative to the substrate and to conform to the substrate. The layer of material is compatible for use with the resin. The first edge is disposed at the front of the surface relative to the movement of the device to the fabric. The first edge is curved with a center portion of the first edge being relatively forward of a pair of side portions of the first edge.