Automated tape laying machine for composite structures

摘要

An automatic tape laying device for applying structural tape 24 to an underlying structure in order to fabricate a composite part. The tape laying device comprises a tape laydown head 10 and a plotting mechanism 60. The tape laydown head has two tape laying rollers 12, 14 arranged side by side and independently controlled. Generally, the tape laying rollers 12, 14 apply tape sequentially to a form as when the tape head is being moved back and forth. The tape head is oriented with a rotary orientation mechanism 90. A separate supply structure 70 parallel to the tape head 10 houses tape supply reels 76, 78 and tape cutting means 84, 86.