Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Orbital Atk, Inc.

Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.

Peter G Turner

Vernon M Benson

Jason K Slack

Ralph Douglas Cope

Christopher James Madsen

Steven Andrew Cope

Anthony Dale Johnson

Michael James Case

Kimberly Ann Ferrara

Don C Jones

Jesse Paul Brown

James Gargel

Kyle Putnam Tarry

Kimberley Ann Ferrara

Apparatus and methods of stretch-forming material are provided. In one example embodiment, a variable material stretch-forming apparatus comprises a stretch-forming assembly configured to stretch-form at least one section of a sheet of material to a longer length than at least one other section of the sheet of material before the sheet of material is applied to a tool.

Apparatus for preforming at least a portion of a material

Composite structures and methods of forming composite structures may include at least one ply of material extending along a length of the composite structure. The at least one ply of material includes sections of material extending along the length of the composite structure.

Composite structures, materials with a removable backing for composite structures and related devices and methods

Material preparation devices and related methods include a material or substrate assembly and an application assembly for applying a fiber material.

Material preparation device and related methods

Apparatus and methods of stretch-forming pre-preg material are provided. In one example embodiment, a variable material stretch-forming apparatus comprises a stretch-forming assembly configured to stretch-form at least one section of a sheet of pre-preg material to a longer length than at least one other section of the sheet of pre-preg material before the sheet of pre-preg material is applied to a tool.

A material preparation device is provided. The material preparation device includes a bias-ply assembly, a feedstock assembly and an application head. The bias-ply assembly is configured to pass a bias-ply backing material along a first path. The feedstock assembly is configured to pass a feedstock along a second path that crosses the first path at a select angle. The feedstock includes resin pre-impregnated fiber-reinforced material (pre-preg) having the fibers at a first orientation relative to an edge of the feedstock. The application head is configured to transfer the pre-preg from the feedstock to the bias-ply backing material at a location where the first path crosses the second path to form a bias-ply with the fibers of the pre-preg having a second, different orientation relative to an edge of the formed bias-ply.

Material preparation device

A method of preparing pre-impregnated (pre-preg) material is provided. The method comprises treating a first surface of a backing with a corona discharge to enhance surface adhesion and applying the pre-preg material to the treated surface of the backing to form a pre-preg material with backing.

Methods of forming composite structures and methods of forming material with a removable backing for composite structures

A material preparation device is provided. The material preparation device includes a bias-ply assembly, a feedstock assembly and an application head. The bias-ply assembly is configured to pass a bias-ply backing material along a first path. The feedstock assembly is configured to pass a feedstock along a second path that crosses the first path at a select angle. The feedstock includes resin pre-impregnated fiber reinforced material (pre-preg) having the fibers at a first orientation relative to an edge of the feedstock. The application head is configured to transfer the pre-preg from the feedstock to the bias-ply backing material at a location where the first path crosses the second path to form a bias-ply with the fibers of the pre-preg having a second different orientation relative to an edge of the formed bias-ply.

Growing community of inventors

Eden, UT, United States of America

Peter G Turner