Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a composite fabric having internal axial tows includes a support member configured to engage the fabric substantially up to a composite component form. The support member includes a nonslip portion directly engaging a first outer surface of the fabric. The apparatus further includes a primary securing member engaging and applying pressure on the fabric at a second outer surface of the fabric opposite the first outer surface. Upon displacement of the axial tows of the fabric relative to the first and second outer surfaces, the support member and the primary securing member substantially maintain original configurations of the first and second outer surfaces of the fabric engaged between the support member and the primary securing member.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a flange has a laminate component and a drum supporting the laminate component. A forming tool selectively engages the laminate component. A diaphragm member extends between the drum and the laminate component and selectively engages the forming tool. Movement of the diaphragm member deforms the laminate component away from the drum about an edge of the forming tool, and the laminate component maintains a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for the formation of fabric preforms that may be subsequently impregnated with a resin to form a composite component. One end of the fabric is received on the form such that the axial tows of the fabric extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a central axis of the form. At least some of the plurality of axial tows are separately tensioned on an end of the fabric not attached to the form and the fabric is wrapped around the form by rotating the fabric and form relative to one another about the central axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a composite fabric having internal axial tows includes a support member configured to engage the fabric substantially up to a composite component form. The support member includes a nonslip portion directly engaging a first outer surface of the fabric. The apparatus further includes a primary securing member engaging and applying pressure on the fabric at a second outer surface of the fabric opposite the first outer surface. Upon displacement of the axial tows of the fabric relative to the first and second outer surfaces, the support member and the primary securing member substantially maintain original configurations of the first and second outer surfaces of the fabric engaged between the support member and the primary securing member.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a flange has a laminate component and a drum supporting the laminate component. A forming tool selectively engages the laminate component. A diaphragm member extends between the drum and the laminate component and selectively engages the forming tool. Movement of the diaphragm member deforms the laminate component away from the drum about an edge of the forming tool, and the laminate component maintains a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A method of forming a fabric preform for a composite component from a fabric having a plurality of hoop tows is disclosed. One end of the fabric is received on the form such that the hoop tows of the fabric extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a central axis of the form. The fabric is wrapped around the form and at least some of the hoop tows are separated into hoop tow segments while the fabric is under a tension to enable a space to develop between ends of adjacent hoop tow segments along the length of the hoop tow. This separation of adjacent hoop tow segments accommodates increased deformation of the fabric during formation of the fabric preform while still maintaining a presence of hoop tow segments in at least portions of the fabric.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of directing bias tows of a fabric to be wrapped around a form to create a fabric preform. The fabric includes at least a first set of bias tows that are generally parallel with one another and a second set of bias tows that are generally parallel with one another but that are not parallel with the first set of bias tows. An edge strip is attached to ends of the first set of bias tows at a first lateral edge of the fabric relative to a feed direction of the fabric onto the form. The edge strip is moved to direct the first set of bias tows. The fabric is wrapped around the form by rotating the fabric and form relative to one another about the central axis of the form to create the fabric preform.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for applying a compaction pressure to a fabric during formation of a fabric preform. One end of the fabric is applied to the form having a central axis. The form with the fabric applied thereto is at least partially surrounded with a film. This film extends along a film path to the form and around at least a portion of the form. The fabric and the film are fed onto the form such that the fabric is wrapped around the form to create the fabric preform while the film is fed around the form. A vacuum is drawn to evacuate a gas from between the form and the film, thereby pressing the film onto the fabric and applying the compaction pressure to the fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for applying a compaction pressure to a fabric during formation of a fabric preform. One end of the fabric is applied to the form having a central axis. The form with the fabric applied thereto is at least partially surrounded with a film. This film extends along a film path to the form and around at least a portion of the form. The fabric and the film are fed onto the form such that the fabric is wrapped around the form to create the fabric preform while the film is fed around the form. A vacuum is drawn to evacuate a gas from between the form and the film, thereby pressing the film onto the fabric and applying the compaction pressure to the fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for the formation of fabric preforms that may be subsequently impregnated with a resin to form a composite component. One end of the fabric is received on the form such that the axial tows of the fabric extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a central axis of the form. At least some of the plurality of axial tows are separately tensioned on an end of the fabric not attached to the form and the fabric is wrapped around the form by rotating the fabric and form relative to one another about the central axis.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of directing bias tows of a fabric to be wrapped around a form to create a fabric preform. The fabric includes at least a first set of bias tows that are generally parallel with one another and a second set of bias tows that are generally parallel with one another but that are not parallel with the first set of bias tows. An edge strip is attached to ends of the first set of bias tows at a first lateral edge of the fabric relative to a feed direction of the fabric onto the form. The edge strip is moved to direct the first set of bias tows. The fabric is wrapped around the form by rotating the fabric and form relative to one another about the central axis of the form to create the fabric preform.

Abstract: A method of forming a fabric preform for a composite component from a fabric having a plurality of hoop tows is disclosed. One end of the fabric is received on the form such that the hoop tows of the fabric extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a central axis of the form. The fabric is wrapped around the form and at least some of the hoop tows are separated into hoop tow segments while the fabric is under a tension to enable a space to develop between ends of adjacent hoop tow segments along the length of the hoop tow. This separation of adjacent hoop tow segments accommodates increased deformation of the fabric during formation of the fabric preform while still maintaining a presence of hoop tow segments in at least portions of the fabric.