A method and apparatus for laying composite tape. The method may comprise driving a plurality of robots, each having a respective movement system across a movement surface, in which the movement surface faces a workpiece, and laying composite tape from the plurality of robots in a coordinated manner on the workpiece.

An apparatus is configured to process a work piece and includes a robotic arm, a sealant discharger, and a plasma discharger. The robotic arm includes a distal end that is rotatable with respect to an axis of the robotic arm. The sealant discharger includes a sealant outlet configured to discharge sealant while the sealant outlet is at a first point. The sealant discharger is mounted on the distal end such that the first point is located on the axis. The plasma discharger includes a plasma outlet configured to discharge plasma while the plasma outlet is at a second point that is located a distance apart from the axis. The plasma discharger is mounted on the distal end such that the second point is rotatable around the axis.

A method forms a multi-ply laminate. A first cutting system cuts and moves a first group of courses into staging positions. Placement robots pick up and place the first group of courses from the staging positions to a layup surface to form a first ply of the multi-ply laminate, changing an orientation of fibers from an initial orientation to a desired orientation for the first ply. A second cutting system cuts and moves a second group of courses into the staging positions while the placement robots are picking up and placing the first group of courses. The placement robots pick up and place the second group of courses from the staging positions to the layup surface to form a second ply of the multi-ply laminate after the first ply has been formed, changing the orientation of the fibers from the initial orientation to the desired orientation for the second ply.

A method for laminating substrates to form a laminated assembly includes positioning a first substrate and a second substrate within a lamination device having a first cavity and a second cavity; pressurizing the first cavity to a first pressure to move a flexible member into contact with one of the first and second substrate; depressurizing the first cavity to move the flexible member out of contact with the one of the first and second substrate; and pressurizing a second cavity to a second pressure higher than the first pressure to apply air pressure at the second pressure to the first and second substrate to form a laminated assembly.

An apparatus is configured to process a work piece and includes a robotic arm, a sealant discharger, and a plasma discharger. The robotic arm includes a distal end that is rotatable with respect to an axis of the robotic arm. The sealant discharger includes a sealant outlet configured to discharge sealant while the sealant outlet is at a first point. The sealant discharger is mounted on the distal end such that the first point is located on the axis. The plasma discharger includes a plasma outlet configured to discharge plasma while the plasma outlet is at a second point that is located a distance apart from the axis. The plasma discharger is mounted on the distal end such that the second point is rotatable around the axis.

Applicator devices for applying a surface covering to a part and methods for applying a surface covering to a part are disclosed. Disclosed applicator devices may include an inflatable bladder and a support structure configured to position the inflatable bladder with respect to the part and/or a support surface on which the part is positioned. The inflatable bladder may be used to apply the surface covering to the part, and may be configured to apply a uniform pressure to the surface covering and part, regardless of surface topography. The inflatable bladder may include a cover material at least partially covering the external bladder surface, which may be configured to reduce friction between the inflatable bladder and the surface covering. Such applicator devices may be particularly useful for, for example, applying a decorative laminate to a honeycomb core panel.

Automatic separation of substrates from spacers within a substrate/spacer stack or laminate for use during a hard disk recording media fabrication process. In one example, a delamination apparatus includes a roller or brush configured to rotate while pressing against a flat surface of a substrate at one end of the laminate to peel the substrate from the laminate to expose an adjacent spacer and to then rotate against a flat surface of the spacer to peel the spacer from the laminate to expose another substrate of the laminate. The apparatus also includes a pusher bar configured to push against the opposite end of the laminate to push the laminate against the roller. The pusher bar may be offset from a central longitudinal axis of the laminate. A bath may be provided for submerging the laminate, the pusher, and the roller in a lubricating liquid. Method embodiments are also described.

Disclosed are an adhesive layer forming apparatus and a display device manufacturing system including the same. The adhesive layer forming apparatus includes a first support chuck configured to move a first panel along a panel movement path in a first direction, a second support chuck provided side by side with the first support chuck in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and configured to move a second panel along a panel movement path, and a first gantry configured to move a first head, which faces the first support chuck and the second support chuck, in the second direction on the first support chuck and the second support chuck and forms an adhesive layer on any one of the first panel and the second panel by jetting.