APPARATUS AND PROCESSES FOR FORMING A HEXAGONAL-CELL HONEYCOMB CORE, AND THE CORE FORMED THEREBY

摘要

A plurality of apparatuses and methods for forming a honeycomb core with hexagonal cells, as well as the honeycomb core thus fabricated, are provided. An apparatus (20) and method can form a half-cell honeycomb structure from a strip of material. Another apparatus (24) and method provides for applying an adhesive component to the half-cell honeycomb structure. An apparatus (26) and method for cutting the half-cell honeycomb structure into multiple sheets. Another apparatus (29) and method allow the stacking of the half-cell structure to form the honeycomb core with hexagonal cells. In addition, the invention relates to a system and a method making it possible to advance the leading edge of a feed strip, to position this strip to perform a secondary operation, as well as a transfer head to hold at least a sheet of the half-cell structure.