SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

    公开(公告)号:US20190152120A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-05-23

    申请号:US16255724

    申请日:2019-01-23

    摘要: A system for depositing a composite filler material into a channel of a composite structure includes an end-effector configured to extrude a bead of the filler material into the channel. The filler material can comprise a first group of relatively long fibers, a second group of relatively short fibers and a resin. A drive system is configured to move the end-effector relative to the channel, and a position sensor is configured to detect the position of the bead relative to the channel. A controller is configured to operate the drive system in response to the detected position and to operate the end-effector to heat and compress the filler material so as to orient the longer fibers in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to the channel and the shorter fibers in substantially random directions relative to the channel when the bead is extruded into the channel.

    APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR APPLYING RADIUS FILLER

    公开(公告)号:US20190308356A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-10-10

    申请号:US15948831

    申请日:2018-04-09

    IPC分类号: B29C47/92 B29C47/02

    摘要: An apparatus (100) for depositing a radius filler (102), made of a homogeneous material, into a groove (104), formed in a workpiece (106) comprises a chassis (110), first means (120) for extruding the radius filler (102) along an extrusion axis (112), second means (130) for providing the homogeneous material to the first means (120), and third means (140) for compacting the radius filler (102) in the groove (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a first sensor (150) configured to provide first-sensor output. The apparatus (100) further comprises a controller (180), operatively coupled to the first means (120), the second means (130), and the first sensor (150). Based on the first-sensor output, the controller (180) is configured to determine the first geometric characteristics of the groove (104). In addition, based on the first geometric characteristics, the controller (180) is configured to control second geometric characteristics of the radius filler (102), extruded by the first means (120), as the tool center point (122) is moved relative to the groove (104).