Abstract: A rotary clamp mechanism for a fiber placement head comprises a one-way bearing and a freewheeling roller mounted upstream of the restart mechanism. An actuating mechanism brings the freewheeling roller and the one-way bearing into contact with the fiber tow and allows the tow to be fed through the head from the upstream to the downstream end, but prevents the fiber tow from traveling in the reverse direction through the head. The rotary clamp is put into contact with the fiber tow prior to cutting the tow, and remains in contact with the tow until the restart mechanism has advanced the cut tow to the delivery end of the head. The rotary clamp eliminates the need for precise timing between the cutting and clamping mechanisms, and increases the application rate of fiber tow by the head.

Abstract: A motorized tape reel is carried on a mandrel shaft extending between a pair of brackets. At the first bracket, the mandrel shaft joins with a swivel ring which permits rotation and axial sliding of the mandrel shaft. The swivel ring swivels on vertical pins in order to swing the mandrel shaft out of its position between the brackets. A second shaft, journalled for rotation within the second bracket, has a power drive connection at its outer end and a separable coupling at its inner end for driving the mandrel shaft. A biasing spring at the first bracket urges the mandrel shaft towards the second bracket, thereby closing the coupling. To change tape reels, manual force is applied to the mandrel shaft to overcome the biasing spring and separate the coupling. The mandrel shaft is then swung out from between the brackets, and the old tape reel is removed. The reverse steps are followed to install a new tape reel.

Abstract: A composite tape laying machine removes each severed portion of a composite tape of a tape assembly from its backing that is not to be applied to a mold or the like. A removal tape of a material, which has a greater adherence to the composite tape than the backing has to the composite tape to which the composite tape is releasably adhered, is moved into engagement with each non-selected severed portion at least at the start of each non-selected severed portion. When the non-selected severed portion has a varying width, the removal tape is removed from engagement with the non-selected severed portion at the start of its maximum width. When the non-selected severed portion has a constant width, the removal tape is removed from engagement therewith substantially prior to the termination of the non-selected severed portion.

Abstract: A composite tape laying machine removes each severed portion of a composite tape of a tape assembly from its backing that is not to be applied to a mold or the like. A removal tape of a material, which has a greater adherence to the composite tape than the backing has to the composite tape to which the composite tape is releasably adhered, is moved into engagement with each non-selected severed portion at least at the start of each non-selected severed portion. When the non-selected severed portion has a varying width, the removal tape is removed from engagement with the non-selected severed portion at the start of its maximum width. When the non-selected severed portion has a constant width, the removal tape is removed from engagement therewith substantially prior to the termination of the non-selected severed portion.