Abstract: Preimpregnated fiber reinforced tapes, so-called prepregs, are dispensed and deposited in a molding and bonding apparatus by a device in which a supply spool or roller carrying the tape is supported by a carrier having an adapter for connection to an arm of a conventional industrial robot. The carrier also supports feed rollers for advancing the tape and a cutter for cutting the tape. The feed rollers are secured to a support which in turn is secured to a fixed member by guide elements and biasing springs for a vertical guiding of the support movement. All drive members are controllable, so that all functions can be performed under the control of a computer in accordance with a program stored in the computer. Thus, the tape dispensing, application, and cutting takes place substantially automatically.

Abstract: Preimpregnated fiber reinforced tapes, so-called prepregs, are dispensed and deposited in a molding and bonding apparatus by a device in which a supply spool or roller carrying the tape is supported by a carrier having an adapter for connection to an arm of a conventional industrial robot. The carrier also supports feed rollers for advancing the tape and a cutter for cutting the tape. The feed rollers are secured to a support which in turn is secured to a fixed member by guide elements and biasing springs for a vertical guiding of the support movement. All drive members are controllable, so that all functions can be performed under the control of a computer in accordance with a program stored in the computer. Thus, the tape dispensing, application, and cutting takes place substantially automatically.

Abstract: This automatic riveting machine can access confined component parts, has a imple sensor system to locate component part edges which allows it to be used in special equipment or in robots. The riveting machine has a mounting bracket to which a rivet supply unit, a riveting unit, and a drill feed advance unit are movably attached. A pneumatic cylinder drives each unit from its resting position into the operating position while shock absorbers brake these movements. Another pneumatic cylinder locks all units into the resting position when the compressed air supply in interrupted. The rivet supply unit pneumatically shoots single rivets into pre-drilled holes in the component parts. The riveting unit is constructed as a so-called alligator riveting press which clamps the component parts together and presses or rivets the heads of the rivets. The drill feed advance unit drills holes into multiple component parts while locating their edges, pressing them together, and compensating for any positional tolerances.