A method of preparing a composite article including providing a first bias assembly with a first bias roll; providing a first non-bias assembly with a first non-bias roll; positioning the first bias assembly to a dispensing position; dispensing a bias ply from the first bias roll along a bias path on a mold; cutting the bias ply; positioning the first non-bias assembly to a dispensing position; dispensing a non-bias ply from the first non-bias roll; and cutting the non-bias ply; wherein the bias path and the non-bias path are substantially parallel.

A vacuum lamination system includes a film supply assembly, a film collection assembly, a lower lamination body, an upper lamination body, an air extractor, a moving assembly and a cutting assembly. The lower lamination body includes a first casing base and a lower heating assembly vertically movable and disposed in the first casing base. The lower heating assembly carries and moves the substrate so that the substrate is substantially flush with a top surface of the first casing base or retracted into the first casing base. The upper lamination body is vertically movable and disposed above the lower lamination body and includes an upper casing and an upper heating assembly disposed on the upper casing. The air extractor is connected to the lower lamination body. The moving assembly changes a height of a portion of the film. The cutting assembly cuts a portion of the film laminated onto the substrate.

A scrap collection assembly for a tape lamination head that applies a plurality of composite tape segments includes a crack-off assembly with a scrap crack-off redirect roller configured to engage one or more composite tape segments and one or more scrap portions; and a secondary crack-off roller configured to engage one or more composite tape segments and one or more scrap portions; a pivot that connects the crack-off assembly to the tape lamination head, wherein the secondary crack-off roller selectively moves about the pivot to change a direction of composite tape movement.

A vacuum lamination system includes a film supply assembly, a film collection assembly, a lower lamination body, an upper lamination body, an air extractor, a moving assembly and a cutting assembly. The lower lamination body includes a first casing base and a lower heating assembly vertically movable and disposed in the first casing base. The lower heating assembly carries and moves the substrate so that the substrate is substantially flush with a top surface of the first casing base or retracted into the first casing base. The upper lamination body is vertically movable and disposed above the lower lamination body and includes an upper casing and an upper heating assembly disposed on the upper casing. The air extractor is connected to the lower lamination body. The moving assembly changes a height of a portion of the film. The cutting assembly cuts a portion of the film laminated onto the substrate.

A method of preparing a composite article including providing a first bias assembly with a first bias roll; providing a first non-bias assembly with a first non-bias roll; positioning the first bias assembly to a dispensing position; dispensing a bias ply from the first bias roll along a bias path on a mold; cutting the bias ply; positioning the first non-bias assembly to a dispensing position; dispensing a non-bias ply from the first non-bias roll; and cutting the non-bias ply; wherein the bias path and the non-bias path are substantially parallel.

An adhesive tape dispenser head assembly arranged to dispense pieces of adhesive tape onto an object can include: a feed spool arranged to hold adhesive tape; a tape launcher arranged to launch the adhesive tape onto the object; a first brake arranged to move between an applied position, in which the tape brake is arranged to press the tape against the tape launcher, and an unapplied position; the tape launcher being arranged to move between a braked position, in which the first brake can be applied to the tape launcher, and an unbraked position, in which the tape is free to move relative to the tape launcher; a second brake arranged to facilitate positioning of the tape launcher in the braked position; a tape cutter movable between a cutting position, in which the tape cutter is arranged to cut the tape, and a non-cutting position; and a co-ordination mechanism arranged to co-ordinate relative movement between the tape launcher, the tape cutter, the first brake and the second brake such that when the tape cutter is in the cutting position, the tape launcher is in the braked position and the first brake is in the applied position.

Various embodiments provide a masking system to apply a mask to a workpiece, comprising: a frame structure, an application head, an X-axis movement element, a Y-axis movement element, a Z-axis movement element, and a workpiece movement element. The frame structure comprising a workpiece support. The application head can be configured to apply film to a workpiece. The application head can comprise a vacuum roller comprising a rotatable cylindrical body with an outer surface; a film roll comprising film wrapped around a spool; a cutting element configured to cut the film to separate a portion of the film from a remainder of film on the film of the film roll, and a guide element disposed between the film roll and the vacuum roller. The guide element is moveable. The guide element is configured to contact an unwound portion of the film between the film roll and the vacuum roller.

A tape machine includes a base, one or more wheels connected to the base, one or more uprights extending upwards from the base, a roller connected to the base, and a tape roll housing connected to the uprights and configured to receive a roll of tape therein to allow for rotational unwinding of the roll of tape. A cutter connected to the base and moveable between an idle position and a cut position. A blade on the cutter is moveable to cut the tape when in cut position.

Devices, methods and systems disclosed herein relate to the application of a protective film on a surface of an electronic device that instantly reduces air bubbles and eliminates the waiting time usually required when using a wet fluid solution. In one embodiment, a flange may be configured to couple to the protective film. The flange may aid in the accurate application of the protective film to the electronic device.

A material dispensing system including a first frame and a first application head. The first application head supported by the first frame including a first bias ply assembly comprising a bias ply roll supported on a bias ply dispenser unit, the first bias ply assembly configured to pass bias ply material along a bias path; and a first non-bias ply assembly comprising a non-bias ply roll supported by a non-bias ply dispenser unit, the non-bias ply assembly configured to pass non-bias ply material along a non-bias path; wherein the bias path and the non-bias path are substantially parallel. Another aspect provides a material dispensing system including a first frame and a first application head supported thereby; and a second frame and a second application head supported thereby; wherein the first frame and the second frame move in an X direction during operation. Another aspect includes preparing a composite article.