The Boeing Company
AUTOMATED FIBER PLACEMENT SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

Abstract:

Disclosed herein is an automated fiber placement system that comprises a robot, an end effector, and a creel assembly that is coupled to the robot and movable with the robot. The creel assembly comprises a spool of a tow and a tow tensioner. The tow tensioner comprises an arm assembly that is pivotable toward and away from a tow direction between a forward position and a rearward position, inclusive, and configured to secure the tow from the spool as the tow unwinds from the spool and moves in the tow direction. The tow tensioner also comprises a biasing member that is coupled to the arm assembly and configured to bias the arm assembly into a neutral position between the forward position and the rearward position. The tow tensioner additionally comprises a potentiometer that is coupled to the arm assembly and configured to detect a position of the arm assembly.