Abstract: A method is presented. The method comprises identifying a desired shape of a ply on a tool, in which the ply has a fiber orientation; identifying a cut shape for the ply, in which the cut shape is different than the desired shape; cutting a composite prepreg ply to have the cut shape, the composite prepreg ply having the fiber orientation; using a deformable carrier to apply the composite prepreg ply having the cut shape to the tool such that the composite prepreg ply has the desired shape on the tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning a preform may include a mandrel to receive a preform. The mandrel may have a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end. The preform may have a first preform end and a second preform end. The apparatus may include an anchoring groove disposed at the first mandrel end, and an anchoring device being configured and located to urge the first preform end towards the anchoring groove to secure the first preform end therebetween. The apparatus may include a tensioning groove disposed between the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end, and a tensioning device being configured and located to urge at least a portion of the preform into the tensioning groove.

Abstract: A method is presented. The method comprises identifying a desired shape of a ply on a tool, in which the ply has a fiber orientation; identifying a cut shape for the ply, in which the cut shape is different than the desired shape; cutting a composite prepreg ply to have the cut shape, the composite prepreg ply having the fiber orientation; using a deformable carrier to apply the composite prepreg ply having the cut shape to the tool such that the composite prepreg ply has the desired shape on the tool.

Abstract: Composite prepreg is laid up over a tool by placing prepreg material on a carrier film and using the carrier film to apply the prepreg material to the tool. The prepreg is conformed to contours of the tool by deforming the carrier film.

Abstract: An apparatus to prepare a preform for fabrication includes a mandrel, anchoring groove, anchoring device, tensioning groove, and tensioning device. The mandrel receives the preform. The mandrel has a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end. The preform has a first preform end and a second preform end. The anchoring groove is disposed at the first mandrel end. The anchoring device is configured and located to urge the first preform end towards the anchoring groove to secure the first preform end therebetween. The tensioning groove is disposed between the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end. The tensioning device is configured and located to urge a portion of the preform into the tensioning groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning a preform may include a mandrel to receive a preform. The mandrel may have a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end. The preform may have a first preform end and a second preform end. The apparatus may include an anchoring groove disposed at the first mandrel end, and an anchoring device being configured and located to urge the first preform end towards the anchoring groove to secure the first preform end therebetween. The apparatus may include a tensioning groove disposed between the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end, and a tensioning device being configured and located to urge at least a portion of the preform into the tensioning groove.

Abstract: Composite prepreg is laid up over a tool by placing prepreg material on a carrier film and using the carrier film to apply the prepreg material to the tool. The prepreg is conformed to contours of the tool by deforming the carrier film.

Abstract: A composite item is fabricated in system that includes a layer of preform, supply of resin, mandrel, and bagging film. The layer of preform corresponds to the composite item. The supply of resin is sufficient to infuse the preform. The mandrel includes a preform receiving zone to receive the layer of preform and a resin receiving zone to receive the supply of resin. The resin receiving zone is adjacent to the preform receiving zone. The bagging film is operable to generate an envelope surrounding the preform receiving zone and the resin receiving zone.

Abstract: A composite item is fabricated in system that includes a layer of preform, supply of resin, mandrel, and bagging film. The layer of preform corresponds to the composite item. The supply of resin is sufficient to infuse the preform. The mandrel includes a preform receiving zone to receive the layer of preform and a resin receiving zone to receive the supply of resin. The resin receiving zone is adjacent to the preform receiving zone. The bagging film is operable to generate an envelope surrounding the preform receiving zone and the resin receiving zone.

Abstract: An apparatus to prepare a preform for fabrication includes a mandrel, anchoring groove, anchoring device, tensioning groove, and tensioning device. The mandrel receives the preform. The mandrel has a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end. The preform has a first preform end and a second preform end. The anchoring groove is disposed at the first mandrel end. The anchoring device is configured and located to urge the first preform end towards the anchoring groove to secure the first preform end therebetween. The tensioning groove is disposed between the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end. The tensioning device is configured and located to urge a portion of the preform into the tensioning groove.