Patent ID: 7769481
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A computer readable medium on which is embedded computer software comprising a set of instructions for executing a method of generating course head assignments for a multihead composite material application machine having a set of heads, the method comprising: receiving a set of paths for a ply for a composite part; determining whether each path of the set of paths complies with a head characteristic for the set of heads, each one of the heads being mounted to a common movable tool carriage; assigning a special head of the set of heads to a non-standard path of the set of paths in response to determining the non-standard path does not comply with the head characteristic; assigning ones of the set of heads to corresponding ones of the set of paths in response to the ones of the set of paths being in compliance with the head characteristics; calculating a constellation of head locations in response to the set of paths being in compliance with the head characteristic; assigning the set of heads to the constellation of head locations in response to calculating the constellation of head locations, a plurality of the heads being movable relative to the constellation during a constellation pass in association with the corresponding one of the paths to which the head is assigned; forwarding a set of instructions based on the assigned set of heads to the multihead composite material application machine; and fabricating the composite part with the multihead composite material application machine in response to the forwarded set of instructions.