The Boeing Company
Composite laminate forming apparatus and method therefor

Abstract:

An apparatus is provided for forming a composite laminate. The apparatus comprises a mandrel having a surface on which the composite laminate can be formed. The apparatus further comprises an application surface and a conveyor configured to move a composite material piece that has been cut to a desired shape to the application surface. The apparatus also comprises an actuating mechanism for, when actuated, lifting the application surface upward towards the mandrel to apply the composite material piece to the surface of the mandrel to form at least a portion of the composite laminate on the surface of the mandrel.