Patent ID: 8005559
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: B29C,B29L,G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of optimizing the loading on a plurality of automated composite tape application machines laying down said tape simultaneously with respect to one another to layup a composite structure in ply sequences, wherein each ply sequence includes ply segments formed by laying down courses of said composite tape, comprising the steps of: (A) partitioning each sequence into groups of ply segments; (B) generating multiple sets of possible machine assignments to the groups, wherein for each group at least one of the machines is assigned to layup the ply segments in the group; and, (C) selecting one of the sets of said possible machine assignments generated in step (B) that optimizes the loading on the machines, said optimized loading comprising minimizing an idle time for each of the machines.