Ribbonizing apparatus for individually heating a plurality of laterally adjacent tows in a fiber placement device

摘要

A ribbonizing apparatus and method for forming a fiber band from a plurality of fiber tows extending along respective fiber tow pathways. The ribbonizing apparatus includes an assembly for selectively heating at least a respective one of the plurality of fiber tows as the fiber tow extends along the fiber pathways. When not needed, the heat is removed from the fiber tow. A plurality of embodiments for accomplishing the method are contemplated.