Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Gregory P Dillon

Jerrell Anthony Nardiello

Raymond John Meilunas

In one form of the present invention, a system for constructing a laminate ( ) is disclosed. The system comprises a ply feeder ( ) that sequentially stacks one or more plies ( ) to form a ply stack ( ). A computer ( ) directs a laser ( ) to cut each ply ( ) to a desired shape after becoming part of the ply stack ( ). The ply stack ( ) is then placed on a reconfigurable tool ( ). An applied pressure compresses the ply stack ( ) against the reconfigurable tool ( ) while an actuator ( ) subsequently reconfigures the reconfigurable tool pins ( ) to a predetermined shape. In a more particular embodiment, a composites forming process is used, such as diaphragm forming, to compress the ply stack ( ) before the reconfigurable tool pins ( ) are reconfigured. In another particular embodiment, the reconfigurable tool pins ( ) are first reconfigured then a vacuum diaphragm forming process is utilized to compress the ply stack ( ) against the reconfigurable tool ( ).

Growing community of inventors

Commack, NY, United States of America

Gregory P Dillon