Flexible material transfer devices, flexible vacuum compaction devices, flexible vacuum chucks, and systems and methods including the same

摘要

Flexible material transfer devices (100), flexible vacuum compaction devices (90) that include the flexible material transfer devices (100), flexible vacuum chucks (82) that include the flexible vacuum compaction devices 8100), and systems and methods including the same. The flexible material transfer devices )100) include a flexible substrate (110) that is configured to selectively and repeatedly transition between a stowed conformation (104) and a deployed conformation (108). The flexible substrate defines a material contacting surface (114) that is configured to contact a charge of composite material (810) and to selectively and operatively attach to the charge of composite material. The flexible substrate (110) further defines a plurality of retention conduits (126) that are at least partially defined by the material contacting surface and are configured to have a retention vacuum applied thereto. The flexible material transfer device further includes a retention manifold (140 that provides fluid communication between the plurality of retention conduits and a vacuum source.