A method for improving the translation efficiency of fiber strength into composite strength is provided. A single unidirectional tape, single unidirectional fiber web or a stack of unidirectional web/unidirectional tape plies formed from partially oriented fibers/tapes is primed under mild conditions followed by subjecting the primed plies to an axial extension stress in the axial fiber direction of each fiber ply by passage through a compression apparatus. The axial extension stress extends the fibers, strengthening them, while also compacting the plies together and thereby forming a composite having improved strength. Production yield is improved by avoiding maximal fiber stretching and thereby avoiding typical manufacturing loss, and low weight composite armor having increased strength is achieved.

A method for improving the translation efficiency of fiber strength into composite strength is provided. A single unidirectional tape, single unidirectional fiber web or a stack of unidirectional web/unidirectional tape plies formed from partially oriented fibers/tapes is primed under mild conditions followed by subjecting the primed plies to an axial extension stress in the axial fiber direction of each fiber ply by passage through a compression apparatus. The axial extension stress extends the fibers, strengthening them, while also compacting the plies together and thereby forming a composite having improved strength. Production yield is improved by avoiding maximal fiber stretching and thereby avoiding typical manufacturing loss, and low weight composite armor having increased strength is achieved.

An assembly for preforming a reinforced fabric sheet may have at least one frame and a plurality of gripping devices. Each gripping device of the plurality of gripping devices may be suitable for gripping an edge portion of the reinforced fabric sheet. The assembly may have a moving system with a plurality of first moving devices. The movement of each first moving device may be independent of the other first moving devices. Each gripping device of the plurality of gripping devices may be associated with a first moving device. The first moving device may be suitable for moving each gripping device of the plurality of gripping devices independently of the others.

A method for forming fiber composite preforms, the preform (1) include a web (2), a flange (3) and a bent part (2.1), and the method includes: laying-up a laminate (4) onto a tooling (5), the laminate (4) comprising lateral and transverse edges (4.1, 4.2) and the tooling (5) comprising a male part (7) comprising a surface (7.1) and a lateral wall (7.2), the web (2) being configured to be located over the surface (7.1) of the male part (7) and the flange (3) being configured to be located over the lateral wall (7.2) of the male part (7); forming the preform (1) over the male part (7); clamping the lateral edges (4.2) of the laminate (4) to the tooling (5) such that the web (2) and the flange (3) of the laid-up laminate (4) are kept under tensional loads, and bending a longitudinal portion of the male part (7).

A mold for molding a reinforced preform having at least two apertures therein includes first and second mold halves, first and second emitters disposed in the mold halves and configured to emit light therefrom, first and second receivers disposed in the mold halves and configured to receive light from the respective first and second emitters, and first and second moving members having couplings for connection with side portions of the reinforced preform and actuators for moving the couplings between respective first and second positions. A controller determines an alignment condition based on signals received from the receivers. If the alignment condition fails to meet predetermined criteria, then at least one of the actuators is caused to move its coupling from its respective first position to a respective adjusted position that is different from the respective second position.

A mold for molding a reinforced preform having at least two apertures therein includes first and second mold halves, first and second emitters disposed in the mold halves and configured to emit light therefrom, first and second receivers disposed in the mold halves and configured to receive light from the respective first and second emitters, and first and second moving members having couplings for connection with side portions of the reinforced preform and actuators for moving the couplings between respective first and second positions. A controller determines an alignment condition based on signals received from the receivers. If the alignment condition fails to meet predetermined criteria, then at least one of the actuators is caused to move its coupling from its respective first position to a respective adjusted position that is different from the respective second position.

Annular structures formed using composite materials and systems and methods for forming annular structures using composite materials are provided. The composite materials can include fiber reinforced thermoplastic materials. The annular structures include a number of component parts. Each component part can be in the form of a strip of fiber reinforced thermoplastic material that extends around all or a portion of a circumference of the structure. The ends of the component parts can be staggered, so that they a placed at different locations about the circumference of the structure. Methods for forming annular composite structures include wrapping one or more strips of fiber reinforced thermoplastic material having one or more layers about a mandrel, and fusing the strips to form an integral annular structure.

Disclosed is a method and a system for pretensioning fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) sleeves surrounding an assembly of parts. The method includes application of pretensioning FRP sleeves surrounding a permanent magnet rotor with surface magnets.

Disclosed herein is an automated fiber placement system that comprises a robot, an end effector, and a creel assembly that is coupled to the robot and movable with the robot. The creel assembly comprises a spool of a tow and a tow tensioner. The tow tensioner comprises an arm assembly that is pivotable toward and away from a tow direction between a forward position and a rearward position, inclusive, and configured to secure the tow from the spool as the tow unwinds from the spool and moves in the tow direction. The tow tensioner also comprises a biasing member that is coupled to the arm assembly and configured to bias the arm assembly into a neutral position between the forward position and the rearward position. The tow tensioner additionally comprises a potentiometer that is coupled to the arm assembly and configured to detect a position of the arm assembly.

An assembly for forming a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a layup tool including a main body extending along a longitudinal axis and a flange extending radially from the main body, the flange defining an edge face slopes towards the main body to an axial face. At least one compression tool has a tool body having a first tool section and a second tool section extending transversely from the first tool section. The first tool section is translatable along a retention member in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the edge face such that relative movement causes the second tool section to apply a first compressive force on a composite article trapped between the axial face of the flange and the second tool section. A method of forming a gas turbine engine component is also disclosed.