A gripping apparatus includes an impermeable layer defining a vacuum port, a first flow media layer associated with the impermeable layer, and a second flow media layer opposed from the first flow media layer to define a receiving space therebetween.

An apparatus for forming a fiber-bundle-based preform from a preform precursor material includes a process head coupled to a robotic arm. The process head has at least two rollers, a heated region, and a cooled region. A length of preform precursor material is passed through the rollers and fixed at a first end thereof. The process head moves relative to the preform precursor material, following a path defined by the movement of the robotic head. The path comports with the desired shape of the fiber-bundle-based preform. As the process head moves, it softens a portion of the preform precursor material, which then passes through the two rollers, the combination thereof incrementally altering the shape of preform precursor material to that of the preform. After passing the rollers, the newly formed region of preform is cooled to set its shape. The process head continues to move relative to the preform precursor material until the preform is fully formed.

An apparatus for forming a fiber-bundle-based preform from a preform precursor material includes a process head coupled to a robotic arm. The process head has at least two rollers, a heated region, and a cooled region. A length of preform precursor material is passed through the rollers and fixed at a first end thereof. The process head moves relative to the preform precursor material, following a path defined by the movement of the robotic head. The path comports with the desired shape of the fiber-bundle-based preform. As the process head moves, it softens a portion of the preform precursor material, which then passes through the two rollers, the combination thereof incrementally altering the shape of preform precursor material to that of the preform. After passing the rollers, the newly formed region of preform is cooled to set its shape. The process head continues to move relative to the preform precursor material until the preform is fully formed.

A method and apparatus for constructing a tubular assembly 40 comprising an inner portion (24) and a further portion (23) surrounding the inner portion. The inner portion (24) comprises reinforcement (37) and the further portion (23) being formed from a strip (50) of material comprising two opposed longitudinal marginal side portions (53). The apparatus comprises an assembly station (220) comprising a wall (253). The apparatus comprises means for advancing the inner portion (21) along a first path (231) extending passed the wall (253), and means for advancing the strip (50) along a second path (232) and causing the strip to encircle the wall (253) and thereby wrap about and surround the inner portion (21). The apparatus further comprises means (321) for introducing resinous binder into the reinforcement (37) as the strip (50) is being wrapped about the inner portion (21).

A method and apparatus for constructing a tubular assembly 40 comprising an inner portion (24) and a further portion (23) surrounding the inner portion. The inner portion (24) comprises reinforcement (37) and the further portion (23) being formed from a strip (50) of material comprising two opposed longitudinal marginal side portions (53). The apparatus comprises an assembly station (220) comprising a wall (253). The apparatus comprises means for advancing the inner portion (21) along a first path (231) extending passed the wall (253), and means for advancing the strip (50) along a second path (232) and causing the strip to encircle the wall (253) and thereby wrap about and surround the inner portion (21). The apparatus further comprises means (321) for introducing resinous binder into the reinforcement (37) as the strip (50) is being wrapped about the inner portion (21).

A composite manufacturing apparatus includes a width determining mechanism and a gas supplier. The width determining mechanism has a body and a gas passage. The body has a path configured to allow a tape material including fibers impregnated with a resin to pass therethrough. The path has a bottom surface and a pair of wall surfaces. The pair of the wall surfaces form a gap that gradually decreases. The gas passage is provided inside the body and formed by the bottom surface having a plurality of through holes, and is in communication with the plurality of through holes. The gas supplier is configured to supply gas to the gas pass age.

Auto-aligning vacuum presses, that include a mobile assembly with a first platen, a vacuum docking station with a second platen, a first locating device to guide the mobile assembly to a desired location along the Y-axis as the mobile assembly moves along the X-axis into the vacuum station, and a second locating device to guide one of the first and second platens along the Z-axis into sealing engagement with the other platen.

There is disclosed a lay-up apparatus for laying up fibre reinforcement material, the lay-up apparatus comprising a lay-up tool defining a lay-up surface, a placement head having a flexible membrane which is conformable to the layup surface, and a membrane vacuum port extending through the membrane and configured to hold a ply against the membrane when suction is applied through the membrane vacuum port. The placement head is configured to cooperate with the lay-up tool so that when a ply is held against the membrane, an airtight chamber is formed between the membrane and the lay-up tool. The lay-up tool comprises a consolidation vacuum port configured to permit evacuation of the airtight chamber to cause the membrane and ply to move towards the lay-up surface.

A method of arranging, in particular thermoplastic, semi-finished products by using an electronically controlled or regulated placing device for the semi-finished products. The method includes detecting at least one part of an outline of a semi-finished product to be placed, wherein the detecting is carried out by a detection device, determining a target position for the semi-finished product and/or for the placing device for placing the semi-finished product by matching the at least one part of the outline with a placing edge occurring on an underlying surface, and placing the semi-finished product by the placing device using the target position.

A method of arranging, in particular thermoplastic, semi-finished products by using an electronically controlled or regulated placing device for the semi-finished products. The method includes detecting at least one part of an outline of a semi-finished product to be placed, wherein the detecting is carried out by a detection device, determining a target position for the semi-finished product and/or for the placing device for placing the semi-finished product by matching the at least one part of the outline with a placing edge occurring on an underlying surface, and placing the semi-finished product by the placing device using the target position.