Patent ID: 11951658
Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 8:
9. A method of forming a composite member constructed from a plurality of composite plies, the method comprising:
introducing composite plies onto a conveyance member in a single-file predetermined order from a plurality of supply stations with the supply stations each supplying a different type of the composite plies and with a first of the supply stations positioned at a first end of the conveyance member and a plurality of second supply stations positioned along one or more lateral sides extending from the first end of the conveyance member;
moving each of the composite plies along the conveyance member in the single-file predetermined order and to a predetermined position beyond a second end opposite to the first end of the conveyance member;
individually orienting the composite plies relative to one or more datums at the predetermined position beyond the second end of the conveyance member;
when each of the composite plies reaches the predetermined position beyond the second end of the conveyance member, transferring the composite plies to a forming tool that is located away from the conveyance member; and
forming the composite plies on the forming tool;
wherein the different types of composite plies comprise one or more different materials, fiber orientations, and ply widths.