Arris Composites Inc.

Kameron Butler

Todd A Pelman

Erick Matthew Davidson

Ethan Escowitz

J Scott Perkins

Cory Mark Bloome

Riley Reese

Christopher P Bender

Dylan Harper

Alexander Darrow

Adam Hansel

Ryan Satcher

A method and apparatus for the continuous fabrication of fiber-bundle-based and composite-tape based preforms and preform charges includes a mandrel about which a constituent material, which is maintained under tension, is wound. The tension is insufficient to fully consolidate the wound material.

Method and apparatus for continuous fabrication of fiber-bundle-based and tape-base preforms

A preform-charge fixture creates a preform charge, which is a partially consolidated assemblage of preforms that can be efficiently transferred to a mold to create a finished part in a molding process, such as compression molding. In the illustrative embodiment, the preform-charge fixture includes peripheral cleats that are movable towards a central cleat to create a small gap therebetween that receives and constrains preforms in a desired position. The fixture also includes clamps, which are operable to engage an uppermost layer of preforms in the gap and apply a slight amount of downward pressure thereto to assure that the preforms are properly seated. The fixture also accommodates an energy source that heats the preforms so that, in conjunction with downforce applied by the clamps and/or gravity, the preforms can be tacked together, forming the preform charge.

Fixture and method for use in a molding process

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Kameron Butler