Abstract: A composite placement machine has a simplified fiber delivery path from a creel to a lay-up table. A carriage is mounted for motion in the Y-axis along the length of an overhead beam. A composite placement head having a shiftable compaction roller is supported by the carriage. A stationary creel at one end of the overhead beam forms a band of composite material having a width that extends in the X-axis. A lay-up table is mounted for motion in the X-axis and rotary motion about a C-axis that is perpendicular to the X and Y-axes. The motion of the head in the Y-axis, the shiftable compaction roller, and the motion of the lay-up table X-axis and the C-axis allows the head to apply composite material to the lay-up table in both Y-axis directions in any orientation without twisting the band of composite material relative to the X and Y-axes.

Abstract: A passive tensioning system is disclosed for composite material that is dispensed by a composite placement machine. A spool is mounted on a spool shaft and material on the spool is pulled from the spool and applied to a surface. The tensioning system has a drag brake on the spool shaft and a drag brake control for the drag brake. A dancer roll is mounted on a linear slide having a spring force and a slide control is provided for the linear slide. A control system continually varies the drag brake control and the slide control to control the tension of the composite material based on the instantaneous operating characteristics of the composite placement machine.

Abstract: A composite placement machine has a simplified fiber delivery path from a creel to a lay-up table. A carriage is mounted for motion in the Y-axis along the length of an overhead beam. A composite placement head having a shiftable compaction roller is supported by the carriage. A stationary creel at one end of the overhead beam forms a band of composite material having a width that extends in the X-axis. A lay-up table is mounted for motion in the X-axis and rotary motion about a C-axis that is perpendicular to the X and Y-axes. The motion of the head in the Y-axis, the shiftable compaction roller, and the motion of the lay-up table X-axis and the C-axis allows the head to apply composite material to the lay-up table in both Y-axis directions in any orientation without twisting the band of composite material relative to the X and Y-axes.

Abstract: A passive tensioning system is disclosed for composite material that is dispensed by a composite placement machine. A spool is mounted on a spool shaft and material on the spool is pulled from the spool and applied to a surface. The tensioning system has a drag brake on the spool shaft and a drag brake control for the drag brake. A dancer roll is mounted on a linear slide having a spring force and a slide control is provided for the linear slide. A control system continually varies the drag brake control and the slide control to control the tension of the composite material based on the instantaneous operating characteristics of the composite placement machine.